Training activity information
Details
Perform vertical audit of a new born screening sample
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.
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 is a vertical audit in the context of laboratory testing? What is its purpose?
- What are the key stages in the newborn screening process that should be included in a vertical audit (e.g., sample collection, receipt, analysis, result reporting, follow-up)?
- What documentation and records are involved at each stage of the newborn screening pathway?
- What are the national standards and guidelines for newborn screening that need to be considered during the audit?
- What criteria or checklists are typically used to perform a vertical audit of a newborn screening sample?
- What are the potential outcomes of a vertical audit and what actions might be required based on the findings?
- How will you gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire newborn screening pathway, from sample collection to potential follow-up?
- What will you learn about the importance of traceability and documentation in a screening programme?
- How will you develop your skills in identifying potential weaknesses or areas for improvement in the newborn screening process?
- How will this activity enhance your understanding of quality assurance principles in a high-throughput screening laboratory?
- Review the national guidelines and your laboratory’s SOPs related to newborn screening, including sample handling, analysis, reporting, and audit procedures.
- Familiarise yourself with the documentation systems used at each stage of the newborn screening process in your laboratory.
- Consider potential challenges in accessing all relevant information or identifying discrepancies.
In action
- How are you approaching the vertical audit? What aspects of the sample’s journey are you tracing (e.g., from receipt to reporting)? What documentation and records are you reviewing? Why are these specific elements important to audit?
- What checks and comparisons are you making at each stage of the audit? Are you looking for consistency, completeness, and adherence to protocols?
- Which parts of the audit process are you most familiar with, and which require more detailed examination of procedures and records?
- How effectively are you able to follow the sample’s path through the different stages of the newborn screening process? Are you identifying any discrepancies or potential areas for improvement in the workflow or documentation?
- What challenges are you encountering during the audit? For instance, are there missing records, unclear documentation, or inconsistencies in data entry?
- What can you learn about the end-to-end process of newborn screening and the importance of quality assurance through this audit?
- How does this activity relate to your understanding of laboratory quality management systems and the need for continuous improvement?
- If you discover a significant deviation or non-conformity during the audit, are you considering how this should be documented and escalated according to laboratory policy?
- What support or clarification might you need in the moment if you are unsure about the correct procedures or documentation standards for a particular stage of the process?
- Are you conducting the audit according to the established protocol and using the appropriate audit tools or checklists?
On action
- Describe the process you followed for the vertical audit of a newborn screening sample. What steps were involved, from sample receipt to result reporting and follow-up? What documentation and records did you review as part of the audit? Were there any discrepancies or issues identified during the audit process? What were they? What aspects of the newborn screening pathway were you able to trace through the vertical audit?
- What did you learn about the end-to-end process of newborn screening, from sample collection to outcome? How did this activity highlight the importance of each step in the newborn screening pathway and the potential impact of errors at any stage? What did you learn about the documentation and quality control measures involved in newborn screening? Did the audit identify any areas where processes could be improved?
- How will you apply your understanding of the newborn screening pathway in your future work? What key areas will you focus on to ensure the quality and integrity of the newborn screening process? How can vertical audits contribute to continuous improvement within the laboratory? What further information or training on audit processes might be beneficial?
Beyond action
- Since performing this vertical audit, have you been involved in or learned about other audit processes within the laboratory? How does this initial experience compare to those?
- Have you gained a deeper understanding of the quality management systems and the importance of traceability in the laboratory through other learning experiences?
- Reflect on any changes or improvements that have been implemented in the newborn screening pathway since you performed this audit. How does your initial audit experience relate to these changes?
- Has your experience with the vertical audit made you more conscious of the importance of accurate documentation and record-keeping in all areas of your laboratory work?
- Has this training activity enhanced your understanding of the interconnectedness of different stages in a laboratory testing process and the potential impact of errors at any point?
- If you were to be involved in future audit activities or quality improvement initiatives, how would your initial experience with the vertical audit inform your approach?
- Could the skills you developed in systematic review and identifying potential issues during the audit be applied to other problem-solving tasks in the laboratory?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 4 |
Outcome
Explain the principles of a screening programme and apply the relevant terminology associated. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Evaluate the methodology and rationale of national screening programmes and explain the national standards associated with the trisomy and newborn screening programmes. |