SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-The Fatigue of Night Labs - Improved Provider and Patient Satisfaction With Early Morning Lab Collection on General Practice Units

The Fatigue of Night Labs - Improved Provider and Patient Satisfaction With Early Morning Lab Collection on General Practice Units

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This poster describes a quality improvement project evaluating a change in inpatient lab collection timing from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM on general practice units. The motivation was that evening lab draws may disrupt patient sleep and increase workload for night staff, while prior literature suggests morning collections are acceptable to both physicians and patients.<br /><br />Surveys showed better satisfaction on the 5:00 AM intervention unit. Residents reported significantly higher overall satisfaction there, while residents on the 9:00 PM control unit were more likely to agree with negative statements about the lab workflow and its impact on patient care. Nurses on the control unit also more strongly endorsed negative views about lab reporting workflow and its effect on physicians’ ability to provide care.<br /><br />Operational outcomes were reassuring. Comparing the intervention unit before and during the change, average length of stay remained unchanged at 4.5 days. However, the percentage of discharge orders placed before 10:00 AM increased from 11.8% to 20%, suggesting earlier workflow progress. Patient experience also improved: patients on the 5:00 AM unit reported strong agreement with the statement about a quiet hospital environment 48% of the time, compared with 14% on the 9:00 PM control unit.<br /><br />Overall, the project concluded that shifting lab collection from evening to early morning improved provider and patient satisfaction without worsening length of stay, and may support earlier discharge processes.

Asset Subtitle

Medha R. Cherabuddi

Meta Tag

Author List Christopher Giles, Medha R. Cherabuddi, Meghan Gwinn, Raef A. Fadel

Category Research

Concept Inpatient Lab Collection

Concept Sleep Disruption

Concept Length of Stay

Concept Early Morning

Concept Workload

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI

Presenting Author Medha R. Cherabuddi

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

quality improvement

inpatient lab collection

lab draw timing

5:00 AM

9:00 PM

patient satisfaction

resident satisfaction

nurse workflow

length of stay

discharge orders

Inpatient Lab Collection

Sleep Disruption

Length of Stay

Early Morning

Workload