| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Background on Laboratory Testing and Patient Safety | ∙ Summary of the scope of laboratory testing in primary care ∙ Key points from the literature about laboratory testing, patient safety, and medical errors ∙ Examples of primary care laboratory testing process improvements |
| Step 1: How Do We Get Started? | ∙ Quick self-assessment of laboratory issues in practice (checklist) ∙ Planning for a team to lead the improvement effort (checklist) |
| Step 2: Priority Alignment | ∙ Tips for aligning laboratory process improvement efforts with practice priorities ∙ Priority alignment assessment (worksheet) |
| Step 3: Making It Real & Preparing for Change | ∙ Tips for successful launch of the improvement effort ∙ “Preflight” communication reminders (checklist) |
| Step 4: What Is Your Current Process for Laboratory Testing? | ∙ Overview of how to map current laboratory testing processes ∙ Process mapping guidance (step-by-step instructions and example) ∙ Steps to review the process map (checklist) |
| Step 5: How Are You Going to Fix the Problem? | ∙ Step-by-step planning guide for developing and implementing an improvement plan (checklist) ∙ Improvement plan template (worksheet) |
| Step 6: How Do You Know If You Made a Difference? | ∙ Importance of (and tips for) selecting metrics to evaluate the success of the improvement plan ∙ Measurement selection planning tool (checklist and worksheet) |
| Step 7: Make the Change! | ∙ Planning tips for executing the improvement effort (worksheet) |
| Step 8: Did We Improve Our Lab Testing Process? | ∙ Guidance on reviewing data and planning for next steps ∙ Steps to review and use improvement data (checklist) |