A journey to improve patients experience in the fine needle aspiration clinic FNAC

<p>Jailan Gabr and Ahmed Al Sarraf</p>

A journey to improve patients experience in the fine needle aspiration clinic FNAC

Jailan Gabr and Ahmed Al Sarraf

KCCC, Kuwait

: J Chem Appl Chem Eng

Abstract

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) had become a wellestablished diagnostic component in pathology.(1) The need for FNA in a 200 bed and the only tertiary care center for cancer is even more. Having realized that, the laboratories department decided to reduce the TAT of FNA in order to shorten the time to treatment of a patient.(2) Four improvement interventions were introduced consecutively, a new program for patient’s appointment, a new second FNA clinic for FNA blind cases, implementation of co-path system (Pathology Information System), and providing information and instruction about FNA procedure to patients in a clear informative and understandable manner. These interventions were selected based on the annual patient satisfaction survey programme’s recommendations, as required by the National Accreditation Standards. (3) The Standardized questionnaires have been distributed annually to 300 patients on average, for three months: from April to June, 2014- 2016. The analysis used a quantitative method for measuring and evaluating patient satisfaction. Based on patient surveys and comments, the clinical laboratories department was able to improve patient care. Improvements were to keep waiting to a minimum, so waiting time was minimized. All patients were called within 30 minutes of their appointment time. The waiting area was less crowded, thus alleviating stress. Co-path system helped to avoid long waits for lab results to be released. Analysis of patient satisfaction survey for years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 revealed increase from 65%, to 73%, 85%, 92% in 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively.