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Enhancing Laboratory Efficiency: The Role of Lean Six Sigma in Improving Quality Metrics in a Clinical Biochemistry Setting. Lean Six Sigma in Clinical Biochemistry
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Enhancing Laboratory Efficiency: The Role of Lean Six Sigma in Improving Quality Metrics in a Clinical Biochemistry Setting. Lean Six Sigma in Clinical Biochemistry

Nihaal Maripin, Ravindra Maradi, Vijetha Shenoy Belle and Vivek Joshi
Revista de Educacion, v 408(4)
2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59671/Nr0mj

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodologies on key quality indicators in a NABL-accredited clinical biochemistry laboratory, including Turnaround Time (TAT), redos, errors, and sample rejections. Conducted at the Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, this study measured baseline metrics from April to July 2021. Workflow improvements were then implemented, including upgrading the immunoassay analyzer and refining testing processes. Post-intervention metrics were collected in June 2022 for comparison. Baseline data revealed substantial variability in TAT and elevated redo rates due to errors, primarily in the analytical phase. Immunoassays posed a bottleneck, prompting an upgrade from Roche Cobas e602 to e801 and the allocation of HbA1c testing to the Bio Rad D100. These interventions improved TAT efficiency by 15% and increased sigma values across test categories. Refining redo criteria reduced unnecessary retests by 20%. Additionally, addressing preanalytical issues, including sample mislabeling and inadequate volumes, reduced sample rejection rates by 25%. Implementing LSS methodologies led to significant improvements in laboratory quality metrics, reducing errors and optimizing workflow efficiency in this high-volume setting. This study offers a scalable model for quality improvement in clinical laboratories, supporting broader adoption of LSS in healthcare quality management.

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