Benchmarking and quality management indicators in three medical laboratories

The aim of this study was to calculate various annual quality management indicators and implement them as a management tool in laboratories. The study was performed in three laboratories over five years, from 2000 to 2004. These laboratories are part of the XHUP (Public Hospital Network in Catalonia). We collected 20 annual items over five years and calculated 20 annual indicators. The Laboratory Manual Index Program from the College of American Pathologists was used as a reference. We also compared an analytical quality indicator versus productivity and calculated annual budget laboratory deviation. The information obtained from these indicators provides laboratories with a useful benchmarking tool to determine the results of management change and understand the real situation in laboratories. We found a lack of standardisation in management data. A future area of work could involve unifying some of the different characteristics.