Cascade Summer/Autumn 2012 - Plymouth Hospitals
Cascade Summer/Autumn 2012 - Plymouth Hospitals
Cascade Summer/Autumn 2012 - Plymouth Hospitals
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cascade_summer_<strong>2012</strong>_1.5:<strong>Cascade</strong>_Winter_2011 23/10/<strong>2012</strong> 13:48 Page 17<br />
17Awards and achievements<br />
Histopathology Receive Prestigious Innovation Award<br />
A team from <strong>Plymouth</strong> <strong>Hospitals</strong> NHS Trust were announced as one of the winners of the NHS<br />
Innovations Challenge Prizes.<br />
Dr Dean Harmse, Consultant Histopathologist, Miss Madeleine Stephens and Mrs Carole Stoddard,<br />
Biomedical Scientists and a team from the Histopathology Laboratory were announced as winners at a<br />
ceremony hosted by the Department of Health and the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement in<br />
London. They have been awarded £50,000 for their project, which significantly improved the turnaround<br />
times for cancer diagnosis in the histopathology laboratory at Derriford Hospital.<br />
The NHS Innovations Challenge Prizes are run by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement and<br />
are different from conventional award schemes in that prizes are awarded for achievement of specific<br />
challenges, set out in advance. The challenges range from significant improvements in delivery to major<br />
clinical breakthroughs. The awards are substantial, with prize money amounts that reflect the nature of<br />
the challenge and the added value of the innovation to the NHS and its patients.<br />
Dr Harmse explains: “The histopathology laboratory examines tissues in order to identify disease<br />
process. Making a diagnosis in the laboratory is essential for clinicians to plan the right type of treatment<br />
for an individual patient, especially in cancer cases. We had recognised in the laboratory that, similar to<br />
other histopathology laboratories around the country, we were experiencing backlogs of work at various<br />
stages of processing samples.<br />
“We designed a process that ensures flow through the laboratory by dividing the work up into different<br />
streams (‘Green Stream’, ‘Yellow Stream’ and ‘Red Stream’). This is based on the complexity of the<br />
specimen and the technical work required to process the specimen. We then manage the flow of each of<br />
these streams of work at every stage of the process through the laboratory on a daily basis.”<br />
Dr Harmse continues: “Our innovation completely cleared our backlog and led us to achieve turnaround<br />
times well above national standards. This innovative way of working has now been in place for more<br />
than a year so it shows that it is sustainable. Biopsy results are now available to clinicians to allow them<br />
to make clinical decisions in a timely fashion.<br />
“This innovation is based on LEAN principles, but it would not have been possible without the<br />
engagement of the whole team in the Cellular Pathology Department. My sincere thanks goes to each<br />
and every member of the team. Without their hard work, enthusiasm and dedication this would not have<br />
been possible.”