Aim
To standardise the urinalysis process and reduce the proportion of samples progressing unnecessarily to culture and sensitivity, thereby reducing costs, and releasing clinical time.
Outcomes
- reduced costs due to reduction in urine samples undergoing M/C/S
- faster clinical decision making, positively impacting patient length of stay(LOS) and patient flow
- comprehensive documentation of results
- consistent maintenance of Ward Test Urine (WTU) analysers
Background
Automated UA was introduced to PROV-ED by ED Senior Staff Specialist, Dr Sean Lawrence and Chief Scientist Chemical Pathology, Goce Dimeski from the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH). It was implemented at the PA Hospital more than 10 years ago via collaboration between the pathology and emergency departments in response to several issues, including inconsistent maintenance of analysers, and unreliable recording and variable interpretation of results (including further testing of normal samples).
Under PROV-ED, automated UA has been endorsed at state-wide level by Pathology Queensland (Chemical Pathology and Microbiology) and by the Queensland Emergency Department Strategic Advisory Panel (QEDSAP).
