C207 Data-Driven Decision Making Task 2
Kelly Ray
‘Western Governors University
, C207 DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING TASK 2
C207 Data-Driven Decision Making Task 2
A. Summary of Situation
Long waits in an Emergency Department (ED) are a national problem. ED overcrowding
has gained the attention of The Joint Commission as well as many other national agencies as a
possible safety hazard to patients. Breaking down each step in the ED visit can help to
illuminate problem areas and identify inefficiencies. Laboratory turnaround time can affect
overall length of stay in the Emergency Department. Knowing that, we wondered if there is a
significant difference in the average turnaround time between hand delivering laboratory tests
and delivery via pneumatic tube system from the ED to the Laboratory? Knowing which method
is faster could help to reduce overall length of stay for Emergency Department patients.
B1. Summary of Data
The data collected that is relevant to the question is thirty (30) turnaround times measured
in minutes of hand-delivered labs and thirty (30) turnaround times measured in minutes of
samples delivered via the pneumatic tube system. The data was collected by observation and
recorded in real time. The start time was when the sample is drawn/collected and the end time
was marked by check in time of the sample in the hospital lab. All data points were recorded by
the same individual. The total turnaround time was recorded in two columns.
Laboratory Turnaround Times from ED to Lab
Hand- Pneumatic
Delivered Tube
(Minutes) (Minutes)
1 34 59
2 42 62
3 56 77
4 63 44
5 22 56
6 34 66
7 44 95
Kelly Ray
‘Western Governors University
, C207 DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING TASK 2
C207 Data-Driven Decision Making Task 2
A. Summary of Situation
Long waits in an Emergency Department (ED) are a national problem. ED overcrowding
has gained the attention of The Joint Commission as well as many other national agencies as a
possible safety hazard to patients. Breaking down each step in the ED visit can help to
illuminate problem areas and identify inefficiencies. Laboratory turnaround time can affect
overall length of stay in the Emergency Department. Knowing that, we wondered if there is a
significant difference in the average turnaround time between hand delivering laboratory tests
and delivery via pneumatic tube system from the ED to the Laboratory? Knowing which method
is faster could help to reduce overall length of stay for Emergency Department patients.
B1. Summary of Data
The data collected that is relevant to the question is thirty (30) turnaround times measured
in minutes of hand-delivered labs and thirty (30) turnaround times measured in minutes of
samples delivered via the pneumatic tube system. The data was collected by observation and
recorded in real time. The start time was when the sample is drawn/collected and the end time
was marked by check in time of the sample in the hospital lab. All data points were recorded by
the same individual. The total turnaround time was recorded in two columns.
Laboratory Turnaround Times from ED to Lab
Hand- Pneumatic
Delivered Tube
(Minutes) (Minutes)
1 34 59
2 42 62
3 56 77
4 63 44
5 22 56
6 34 66
7 44 95
