| Laboratory services in healthcare delivery systems play a vital role in inpatient care. Laboratory testing alone accounts for approximately 10% of hospital billing. A goal for the U.S managed healthcare delivery system is to considerably reduce laboratory costs associated with staff error caused by work overload. To aid in achieving this goal, this research study focuses on the optimization of blood draw assignments in hospital laboratories. To minimize work overload, Excel Modeling is utilized to determine the optimal number of blood draws assignments for each phlebotomist. From reducing work overload, phlebotomist errors should reduce as well, which could achieve significant cost savings for healthcare delivery systems. The final results of the blood draw assignment model indicate the number of blood collections to be assigned to each phlebotomist to balance workload within and between shifts. |
Updated 02/21/2015