The aim of this study was to implement Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA cycle) as a method for the continuous quality improvement in the dairy laboratories. This method was used to identify and analyze the critical problems that occur in the preanalytical stage of ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk samples, to find the root causes of their occurrence and proffer solutions. Results showed a reduction in the number of the contaminated UHT milk samples from initial 368 to 85. Moreover, the capability index (CP) increased from 0.52 to 1.07. These reductions in the number of contaminated milk samples and increase in CP increased the efficiency from 68.02% to 74.06% and the effectiveness from 88.95% to 96.85%. Thus, PDCA methodology can be successfully applied in the dairy laboratory to reduce the occurrence of errors and increase the processes capability to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of dairy laboratory. Practical applicationsContinuous quality improvement (CQI) is used in process improvement in medicine laboratories for patient's fulfillment, where the implementation of process improvement project in medicine laboratories resulted in a positive influence with more effective and simplicity workflow. Also, CQI in dairy laboratories is considered an essential issue, as the analytical quality assurance plays a fundamental role in the precision of laboratories results. Furthermore, future laboratory accreditation, which is considered a fundamental tool for the dairy manufacture to increase confidence in laboratories outcomes, can be obtained on the basis of quality assurance and improvement precepts. To the best of our knowledge, this current research introduces a method for CQI in the dairy laboratories (PDCA approach) which has not been discussed in previous related work.
Background: Quality management strives to create a positive, open, and honest culture that provides health care services judiciously. The quality process is designed to monitor and trend problems. Most quality measures consider the structure, process, and outcome standards as frameworks. Aim: the present study aimed to assess quality of health care in the adult critical care units as perceived by nurses and patients. Subjects and methods:A descriptive study was used with a sample of (70) nurse and (116) patient. The data were collected by using two tools; Nurses' perception questionnaire and Patients' perception questionnaire. Results: The study results revealed that a statistically significant difference was found between nurses' and patients' perception regarding the structure factor and process factors affecting quality of health care Conclusion: It was concluded that the process and structure factors were the most important factors as reported by nurses and patients, while the outcome factor was the lowest one as reported by nurses. Recommendation: Nursing administrators should be properly selected and prepared for their role as efficient leaders to be a source of empowerment for their staff and the nursing profession, Providing continuing supervision and evaluation of nurses for the detection of any deficit in their performance and correction of the weakness and patients must continuously asked or assessed for their opinion or perception regarding the quality of care.
Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is a proactive procedure for risk management and quality improvement in laboratories. The FMEA was carried out on pre‐analytical stage of ultra‐high‐temperature milk samples. It was applied at two different stages; in the first phase, the potential failure mode was chosen and the probable risks for failure mode were assessed and analyzed. Risk priority numbers (RPNs) were calculated to evaluate and organize reasons for potential failure and their impacts and identify the risk level. As for the second phase, it encompassed establishing and implementing the proposed action plans and measuring their effects. The uppermost RPN was human errors (504), followed by training (432), incorrect samples handling and transport (336), and insufficient sterilizing of tools (192). Employing the effective improvement action plan significantly decreased the RPN. The FMEA should be utilized as a regular tool to improve processes in laboratories. Practical applications The failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) method is used mainly to minimize errors, improve the quality of pre analytical stage of milk samples in the laboratory, identify potential failures, and develop and prioritize improvement strategies. Corrective actions significantly lower the risk priority numbers values. Besides, FMEA is a preventive tool and it is helpful in risk assessment of processes in dairy laboratories. The FMEA is a frequently‐used technique for quality assurance in food industry and numerous manufacturing industries addressing purchasers, governmental requirements, quality control, and safety. Nowadays, the FMEA is being applied in healthcare laboratories, and to attain all‐inclusive and fast improvement in safety in non‐healthcare industries.
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