Patient Perspectives on The Implementation of Specimen-Tracking Services Through Total Laboratory Automation In Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Total laboratory automation (TLA) is a system in which performs several diverse categories of assessments on different types of specimens. This study aims to study patient perspectives on the implementation of specimen-tracking services through TLA in Dammam. Materials and methods: The study was based on a cross-sectional research design. A self-administered questionnaire was developed, and data was collected from patients who utilized the laboratory services in Dammam from January 2022 to January 2023 and who were more than 18 years old. Results: The total number of 283 responses was included in the analysis. A descriptive analysis of the demographics shows that 57.95% of the respondents were females, 52% aged between 18–29, 53.7% had a bachelor’s degree, and 53.4% were employed full-time. Results shows that the majority had visited the hospital more than three times for laboratory services (45.58%) between January 2022 and January 2023. Over 80% of the respondents agreed that the TLA led to higher satisfaction. The TLA services reduce long waiting hours and higher levels of patient satisfaction. The findings of this study have several practical implications for health-care facilities and institutions. Discussion: Patients who receive specimen-tracking services tend to visit the health-care facility more than once, which indicates patient satisfaction and trust toward TLA. Mostly female patients and younger people were found to have received specimen-tracking services through TLA. The findings of this study also highlight several benefits of TLA. It was revealed that the services, when offered through TLA, tend to show improvements from time to time. The results are available in a timely manner and are highly accurate. Laboratory automation also raises the levels of efficiency in service delivery. Furthermore, it improves the performance as well as the functions of the laboratory. Monitoring and evaluation systems also improve. There are several ways through which the time-tracking services result in added value to TLA, including increased efficiency and accuracy and reduced time. Conclusion: Management at health-care facilities and institutes can increase patient satisfaction by adopting TLA for providing specimen-tracking services.