Fiona Thomas, Martin Ludlam, Helen Bennett and Ian Date
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
Project Background:
The Cellular Pathology department is currently unable to meet the required 7-day turn-around times for the diagnostic pathway of patients with Urgent Suspected Cancers.
As a short-term solution to mitigate the risks associated with this delay, the Health Board is now outsourcing a significant proportion of wet tissue processing and reporting to an independent provider. This is not sustainable, and the team are looking to find innovative local solutions to help improve the situation for the population of CTM and develop local resilient and sustainable services.
Project Aims:
- Develop a detailed map of the workflow process from sample reception to reporting.
- Develop a simulation model that reflects activity and simulates workflows with changing demand.
- Validate the model to test varying work flow options to inform business case development.
Project Outcomes:
A simulation model that can be reliably utilised to plan the future Cellular Pathology service model for the Health Board that will effectively meet the demands of the service.
Workflow map that informed the simulation model
Simulation output for a required sample process within the laboratory
Project Impact:
Provides an evidence base and requirements for Cellular Pathology services delivered internally with assurance around standards and quality. This will require investment but will provide a roadmap to sustainable services and realisation of the opportunities to deliver value based health care.
It will also reduce the environmental impact of outsourcing and reduce the carbon footprint based on reduced need to utilises daily transports to outsourcing provider.
