The Trust’s Biochemistry Team has achieved its best Emergency Department (ED) turnaround time performance in five years at both CRH and HRI. The team have reported 95% of samples within 60 minutes which has supported ED teams to make informed decisions quickly and make sure patients get the right treatment without unnecessary delays. The team's achievement reflects a sustained focus on efficiency, collaboration and service improvement across the laboratory.

Clinical Lead for Biochemistry, Daniel Herrera, said: “This is a significant milestone and reflects the hard work, dedication and collaboration of colleagues across the service, thank you to everyone involved.

“This achievement demonstrates what can be delivered when technology, data, innovation and teamwork come together with a shared commitment to patient care. Senior Biomedical Scientist, Michelle Kent, has worked alongside Central Services Coordinator, Chris Roberts to review and optimise laboratory processes. Head of Data Transformation, Callum MacIver has provided the Biochemistry Department with a powerful reporting tool within KP+ so teams can identify opportunities for improvement throughout the entire testing pathway.

“We’re also now doing some further work with the ED team to improving the overall Turnaround Time from the point a test is requested in EPR to the point a result is available to clinicians.”

By focusing on the overall Turnaround Time the team hope that the benefits will be felt across CHFT, including:

• Faster patient triage and clinical decision-making in the Emergency Department.
• Improved patient flow through A&E and reduced waiting times.
• Earlier diagnosis and initiation of treatment.
• Enhanced patient experience and satisfaction.
• Improved efficiency for clinical and nursing teams.
• Better utilisation of hospital resources.
• More timely discharge decisions and reduced unnecessary admissions.
• Improved patient safety through quicker identification and management of acute illness.