Training activity information
Details
Plan an implementation for an improvement to an existing quality control process for a diagnostic assay
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Local change control processes
- Quality management system and documentation requirements
- Changes to accreditation status
- Measuring success of the implementation
- The implications of data quality on patient care
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What knowledge of change management and quality improvement processes is needed?
- How will you develop your skills in planning and proposing improvements to existing laboratory processes? What factors will you consider when planning the implementation? What is your current understanding of quality improvement methodologies?
- Will you research quality improvement methodologies and change management principles? Will you discuss the existing quality control process and potential improvements with relevant colleagues? What steps will you include in your implementation plan? What potential barriers to implementation might you anticipate? How do you feel about initiating change within a team?
In action
- Based on your review (or a provided scenario), what specific improvement to the QC process are you planning? What steps do you envision needing to implement this change? What resources or stakeholders might be involved?
- Are you outlining the key stages of the implementation plan? Are you considering potential challenges or risks associated with the implementation? Are you thinking about how the success of the improvement will be evaluated?
- If you encounter roadblocks in your initial plan, are you considering alternative implementation strategies? Are you prioritising the necessary steps and resources?
On action
- Based on your review, what improvement did you plan for an existing quality control process? What were the key steps in your implementation plan?
- What factors did you consider when planning the implementation of the improvement? What potential challenges did you anticipate, and how did you plan to address them? What did you learn about the practical aspects of implementing changes to laboratory processes? How did your planning process (‘reflect-in-action’) shape the implementation plan? How does the ability to plan and implement quality control improvements relate to service development and ensuring high-quality testing?
- What aspects of implementation planning do you want to learn more about? How can you apply your planning skills to other areas of bioinformatics service development? What specific actions will you take to enhance your implementation planning abilities? What resources or support would be beneficial for further developing your skills in this area?
Beyond action
- Have you been involved in planning or implementing other improvements to laboratory processes since this training activity? What aspects of your planning were informed by this experience?
- Did you consider the practical challenges of implementation, as you likely did in this training activity, in subsequent improvement projects?
- How will your experience in planning and implementing improvements contribute to service development and efficiency within the laboratory in the future?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 3 |
Outcome
Apply statistical methods to derive meaningful conclusions from data to support clinical decision making. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Summarise results of data analysis to stakeholders. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Appraise laboratory quality control systems. |