NPEx A user perspective John Coatsworth Senior Biomedical Scientist Immunology James Cook University Hospital South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Introduction NPEx had been available to the Trust for a while Sounded good in theory Some contact with other labs had been made No samples had been sent Sounded ‘difficult’ to set up Requires other labs to also be on NPEx The person with the vision to see the benefits was retiring soon and was keen to see it in use Immunology was a good candidate to get things going Decided to start using NPEx to send samples to Oxford

Middlesbrough to Oxford is a Long Journey Home of the Parmo

What you need to do to get started Set up each test on NPEx Set up each test as an order out on LIMS Set up each test as a result in on LIMS Create route on NPEx. Let the other lab know. They accept route Easy to do Honestly Would take time if numerous tests to establish One off

Sending Samples Instructions in NPEx user guide easy to follow User guide is in the system Use barcode on sample to Assemble Shipment then Confirm Specimens Packaged then Dispatch Set up My users Demonstrate process to these users I have shown 3 members of staff so far They all picked up the shipments out process quickly Easy Honestly

Some Problems LIMS compatibility. Check. Some examples..... NEGATIVE to NEG to NEGATIVE POSITIVE to POS to POSITIVE Results go in ok, comments can need attention To evaluate continue to receive paper copies of reports My experience is of sending a few samples each week to one referral laboratory Different problems may occur if setting up as a testing laboratory Cost

Advantages 1 Saves time when sending. No request forms to copy or write. Too few samples to quantitate this meaningfully Electronic transfer of request and results minimises transcription errors Audit trails can be viewed on NPEx. The site is user friendly

Improved turnaround times Advantages 2 Improved turnaround times ? NPEx Average TAT (Days) ACR VGKC Hu No June 2016 27 28 19 Yes Sept 2016 17 22 Oct 2016 13 14 12

SUMMARY In our experience so far it is easy to set up Improves quality (Electronic transfer of data and reduced turnaround times) Potential to save staff time We intend to expand our use of NPEx Staff like it

Before: “Please do the Oxford send aways”

After:“Please do the Oxford send aways using NPEx”

SUMMARY In our experience so far it is easy to set up Improves quality (Electronic transfer of data and reduced turnaround times) Potential to save staff time We intend to expand our use of NPEx Staff like it