Benchmarking medical laboratory performance on a global scale.

Background and aims: Laboratory performance as a relative concept needs repetitive benchmarking for continuous improvement of laboratory procedures and medical processes. Benchmarking as such establishes reference levels as a basis for improvements efforts for healthcare institutions along the diagnosis cycle, with the patient at its center. But while this concept seems to be generally acknowledged in laboratory medicine, a lack of practical implementation hinders progress at a global level. The aim of this study was to examine the utility of a specific combination of indicators and survey-based data collection approach, and to establish a global benchmarking dataset of laboratory performance for decision makers in healthcare institutions. Methods: The survey consisted of 44 items relating to laboratory operations in general and three subscales identified in previous studies. A global sample of laboratories was approached by trained professionals. Results were analyzed with standard descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. Dimensional reduction of specific items was performed using confirmatory factor analysis, resulting in individual laboratory scores for the three subscales of "Operational performance," "Integrated clinical care performance," and "Financial sustainability" for the high-level concept of laboratory performance. Results and conclusions: In total, 920 laboratories from 55 countries across the globe participated in the survey, of which 401 were government hospital laboratories, 296 private hospital laboratories, and 223 commercial laboratories. Relevant results include the need for digitalization and automation along the diagnosis cycle. Formal quality management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 15189 etc.) need to be adapted more broadly to increase patient safety. Monitoring of key performance indicators (KPIs) relating to healthcare performance was generally low (in the range of 10-30% of laboratories overall), and as a particularly salient result, only 19% of laboratories monitored KPIs relating to speeding up diagnosis and treatment. Altogether, this benchmark elucidates current practice and has the potential to guide improvement efforts and standardization in quality & safety for patients and employees alike as well as sustainability of healthcare systems around the globe.

Seroprevalence of Various Viral Diseases in Tamil Nadu, India.

Introduction: Virus-borne diseases have recently gained significant public health importance. Viruses infect several hosts, including animal reservoirs, evolve quickly, and recombine emerging and reemerging to pose recurring dangers to humans. The Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) located at Government Theni Medical College, Theni, Tamil Nadu, conducts the diagnosis of common virus infections. Methods: From January 2018 to December 2022, the VRDL received whole blood sera samples from 84,059 patients suspected of having various viral illnesses. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect viral infections in all of the samples. Results: A total of 84,059 individuals suspected for various viral infections have been tested and out of these 4948 (5.88%) cases have been reported to be positive and among them, the dengue virus is predominantly followed by, hepatitis B virus, chikungunya virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, hepatitis B virus, herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and rubella virus. Conclusion: The issue of emerging and re-emerging infectious illnesses, particularly those caused by viruses, has grown in importance in public health. Timely action combined with proper information and the ability to diagnose infections may save many lives.