The preparation of parenteral nutrition is an essential process in hospitals and clinics, but it faces a significant challenge: discards due to microbiological contamination. According to recent analyses, 9% of batches are discarded after quality control, leading to an impact on costs, time, and resources. In this article, we explore the key factors behind these discards and how to optimize the process to minimize them.
Factors influencing discards in parenteral nutrition preparation
Process mining applied to the healthcare sector has helped identify patterns that directly influence discards. The most relevant factors are:
- Insufficient cleaning time
- Shift differences
- Variability between hospitals
How to reduce discards in parenteral nutrition preparation
To optimize the process and reduce the discard rate, it is essential to address the causes from various angles:
- Strict cleaning protocols: Implement standards that ensure a minimum cleaning time, such as the 45-minute average identified in successful cases.
- Staff training: Ongoing training to minimize differences between shifts and reinforce adherence to established procedures.
- Internal audits: Conduct regular audits to identify gaps and improve consistency in processes.
- Comparative studies: Analyze and replicate the practices of hospitals with better results in those with higher discard rates to reduce variability across centers.
Impact of discards on hospital efficiency
Reducing discards in parenteral nutrition preparation not only improves service quality but also:
- Optimizes resources: Fewer discards mean less waste of materials and time.
- Increases patient safety: Cleaner and safer processes reduce risks associated with contamination.
- Reduces costs: Minimizing discards positively impacts the hospital budget.
Discards in parenteral nutrition preparation represent a key opportunity to improve hospital processes. Process mining has identified factors such as cleaning time, shifts, and hospital infrastructure as critical points. Addressing these areas can optimize procedures, reduce discards, and ensure safer and more efficient patient care.
