Measuring the Performance of Medical Laboratories Globally

Abstract

For medical and laboratory processes to be continuously improved, laboratory performance as a relative term requires frequent benchmarking. As such, benchmarking creates reference levels that serve as the foundation for healthcare organizations' attempts to improve throughout the diagnosis cycle, with the patient at its core. However, despite the fact that this idea appears to be widely accepted in laboratory medicine, its lack of application impedes global advancement. The study's objectives were to create a global benchmarking dataset of laboratory performance for use by healthcare institution decision makers and investigate the usefulness of a particular set of indicators and survey-based data gathering methodology. Methods: In addition to forty-four items related to laboratory operations in general, the survey contained three subscales that were previously used in studies. Selected laboratories throughout the world were approached by trained individuals. The results were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and standard descriptive statistics. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to dimensionally reduce specific items in order to obtain individual laboratory scores for the three subscales of "Operational performance," "Integrated clinical care performance," and "Financial sustainability" for the high-level concept of laboratory performance, Conclusions: All things considered, this benchmark clarifies existing practice and has the power to direct efforts toward quality and safety improvement, standardization for both patients and staff, and the sustainability of healthcare systems worldwide.