Episode 42

Episode 42: "Reducing Lab Errors with System Thinking"

In this episode of eLABorate Topics podcast Lona Small, discussed the old way of approaching errors in the lab and the new way of system thinking as a way to reduce errors. Lona discussed the old approach of only focusing on the person involved in the error. She showed that remedial retraining does not solve patient safety errors unless lack of training was found as the root cause.

Lona mentioned the many factors involved in system thinking such as Patient (acuity, age etc.), Care team (including family), Organization (infrastructure layout, hospital or clinic, lab), and Environment (regulatory etc.)


She discussed the steps to take involving system thinking when there is a lab error.


1. Consider the system design.

2. Talk to your team to understand all possible system design factors that could cause errors (gather data).

3. Meet with other care teams outside of your team that are part of the affected system.

4. Together discuss your findings.

5. Together identify flaws in the system that could have caused the error ( people, process, infrastructure, environment)

6. Discuss solutions and understand how changes could affect each other ( unintended consequences).

7. Make changes and monitor.

8. If error is reduced, create new workflow, procedure or document new policy.

9. Continue to monitor.


NOTE- there is no error free lab.


For a quick guide to help you start stepping out of the lab and working with other teams as part of the system thinking.

Use this gift: 5 Baby Steps out of the Basement- Resulting in Giant Leaps To The Executive Suite https://www.lonasmall.com/pl/133013


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About the Podcast

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eLABorate Topics
Leadership and Technical Strategies for Medical Laboratory Professionals to excel inside and outside of the lab..

About your hosts

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Tywauna Wilson

Tywauna "Coach Tee" Wilson is an accomplished medical laboratory leader, author of "Some Leaders Wear Lab Coats," and co-host of the "eLABorate Topics" podcast. As founder and president of Trendy Elite Coaching and Consulting, she develops best-in-class leaders through coaching programs and leadership training. With two decades of experience, including as a lab manager and technical director, Tywauna leverages her clinical expertise to mentor laboratory professionals. Through Trendy Elite's Standout Leader Academy and her own initiatives, she empowers professionals to enhance their leadership skills, expand their influence, and excel in their careers. Tywauna is committed to guiding the next generation of confident, competent laboratory leaders
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Stephanie Whitehead

It isn’t every healthcare leader who can seamlessly lead through the chaos of managing a large healthcare operation while navigating the rapid changes in healthcare. But this is exactly the environment where Stephanie Whitehead not only shines but thrives!

Stephanie is an executive-level leader that fueled by her passion for helping others in the medical profession achieve operational excellence. Intrigued by the evolving nature of the laboratory field and its strong impact on patient treatment, she had an early determination to leave an indelible mark on the laboratory profession.
Stephanie is a co-host who offers a unique blend of clinical knowledge, practical advice, and personable humor. Stephanie’s niche has always been the ability to see problems with a wide-lens view and then, narrow them down to connect the dots, take action, and drive results.

Contact her at stepanie.y.whitehead@gmail.com or StephanieYWhitehead on all social media

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