“It is very positive to have LOYAL as a supporting tool for the continuous improvement of our management system.”
Silvana Daverio & Karina Fiezzoni, Ph.D. Pharmaceutical Sciences
Quality Assurance Department, Domecq & Lafage
Case Study
ABOUT
Domecq & Lafage is a clinical laboratory testing provider that has served Hospital Alemán in Buenos Aires for more than 40 years. Besides its processing plant at the hospital, it has facilities in Recoleta, Villa Devoto, Villa Urquiza, Martínez, and Ramos Mejía. Its menu includes more than 1,000 tests across specialties such as clinical biochemistry, endocrinology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, and genomic oncology, with a focus on quality service and patient safety.
THE CHALLENGE
Manual work, entered twice
Before LOYAL, findings and non-conformities were reported manually, in writing, and then registered in an Access database by the Quality Assurance Department. That meant extra work and more chances for mistakes. The laboratory set out to computerize its quality management system, involve all lab staff in using one common tool, and reduce data entry in Quality Assurance so the team could focus on improving other processes.
THE PROJECT
QMS first, DMS next
Domecq & Lafage purchased three LOYAL modules: DMS, QMS, and KPI. Its quality management system covers the processes for conducting clinical tests and supporting areas such as Systems, Administration, and Marketing. At the time of the interview, only QMS was in use, for managing findings and non-conformities. DMS was planned for the short term, for administering and managing documents.
THE SOLUTION
Reporting, without the duplicate entry
Staff at the facilities now detect and report deviations directly in LOYAL, where findings are classified and prioritized. Findings and non-conformities no longer have to be written up and then re-entered, so rework and duplicate entry are gone.
Built into resident training
Biochemical Residents spend a month in the Quality Assurance Department as part of their training. Each one carries out an individual project with LOYAL tools to improve the management system, for example designing the corrective and preventive maintenance program for equipment.
KEY RESULTS
- Rework and duplicate entry of non-conformities and findings were eliminated, and Quality Assurance no longer re-enters findings by hand
- All the facilities cooperate in detecting and reporting deviations directly in LOYAL
- Findings are classified and prioritized in the system
- Lab staff collaborate and are involved through one common tool
- Biochemical residents get hands-on experience with LOYAL through improvement projects, such as an equipment maintenance program
WHAT’S NEXT
At the time of the interview, the laboratory planned to migrate its existing documents to LOYAL DMS and to use LOYAL tools to support improvements in processes such as personnel training, work-accident records and follow-up, and employee sign-up forms.
AREAS INVOLVED
Patient Reception · Sample Collection & Reception · Analytical Departments · Quality Assurance · Technical Direction · Facilities · Systems · Administration · Marketing.
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