To shorten the turn around time of positive blood culture results by optimizing the blood culture positive specimen processing flow.

In January 26, 2015, the microbiology department started the blood culture positive specimen processing flow optimization project, and applied the Lean Six Sigma method in the microbiological process management. The TAT data of 124 positive blood cultures containing Enterobacteriaceae were collected before and after the start of the project in about two months. We analyzed the turnaround time median, mean and standard deviation and reference Z value, process performance index, millions of error opportunities.We decompose the turnaround time into six time periods to find the key points of the process improvement and the influencing factors, and then put forward the reform measures to optimize the blood culture inspection process.MiniTab17.0 statistical software was used to process capability analysis and double sample t test.

After the implementation of the project, the average turnaround time of the blood culture was shortened from 77.10 h to 64.03 h, improved by 13.06 h (16.94%). Process performance greatly improved in Ppk value increased from 0.49 to 0.88, the benchmark Z value increased from 1.48 to 2.63. After the improvement, except the positive alarm time of blood culture, the mean of the other decomposition time was significantly shorter than before.

The application of Six Sigma in process management can greatly improve the work efficiency and process performance. This project can save a lot of manpower, material and financial resources, reduce the waiting, shorten turnaround time, that achieve the desired results.(Chin J Lab Med, 2017, 40: 383-386)

Blood culture; Enterobacteriaceae; Laboratories, hospital; Total uality management; Time factors