Best Practices in Laboratory Medicine: Systematic Review and Evaluation Methods for Quality Improvement

Abstract

Introduction: The field of laboratory medicine occupies a pivotal role in modern healthcare, serving as the bedrock for informed clinical decision-making. Accurate and reliable diagnostic testing is paramount to the delivery of high-quality patient care. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive and evidence-based resource for laboratory professionals and healthcare decision-makers, guiding them toward best practices in laboratory medicine and quality improvement.

Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was employed, utilizing multiple academic databases and a combination of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keywords to identify eight relevant interventional studies focused on quality improvement in laboratory medicine. The study selection process adhered to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, ensuring the inclusion of studies conducted in various laboratory settings and involving human participants. The selection process involved two phases, with independent screening of titles and abstracts, followed by the evaluation of full-text articles for eligibility. The final set of included studies was assessed for relevance and methodological quality, with a goal of incorporating a minimum of eight high-quality interventional studies to provide a comprehensive overview of quality improvement in laboratory medicine.

Results: This systematic review employed a rigorous search strategy across various academic databases to identify eight interventional studies focused on quality improvement in laboratory medicine. The study selection process adhered to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, ensuring the inclusion of studies conducted in diverse laboratory settings and involving human participants, reported in English. The selection process involved two phases, initial screening of titles and abstracts, followed by the evaluation of full-text articles for eligibility, ultimately aiming to incorporate a minimum of eight high-quality interventional studies for a comprehensive overview of quality improvement in laboratory medicine.

Conclusions: In this systematic review, various factors influencing the effectiveness of quality improvement interventions in laboratory medicine were examined. Key findings underscored the importance of tailored interventions, supportive leadership,resource allocation, staff engagement, and the role of data and metrics in improving laboratory services. These insights offer laboratories a strategic framework to optimize quality improvement efforts and ensure the delivery of accurate, efficient, and high-quality services in healthcare.