The best measurement to document improvement in the process of addressing delays in diagnostic test result availability is turnaround time. Turnaround time measures the total time from when a diagnostic test is ordered to when the results are available to the ordering provider. This directly reflects the efficiency of the process and the impact of any improvements made to reduce delays.
* Lost specimen rate (A): This measures a different aspect of the process (specimen handling), not the speed of result availability.
* Average length of stay (C): This is a broader measure that may be influenced by many factors beyond diagnostic test turnaround time.
* Provider satisfaction (D): While important, it is a subjective measure and may not directly reflect process efficiency improvements.
References
* NAHQ Body of Knowledge: Measuring and Improving Turnaround Time in Healthcare Processes
* NAHQ CPHQ Exam Preparation Materials: Metrics for Process Improvement
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