Patient safety is at the heart of everything we do at the UHN, and it comes in many shapes and forms. Geetthan Vairamuthu, one of the first Quality Assurance and Service Specialists at UHN’s Laboratory Medicine Program (LMP), plays a pivotal role in ensuring patient safety by overseeing the quality assurance efforts within Specimen Management.
Geetthan’s role goes beyond the numbers and data generated by UHN’s systems. He acts as an expert interpreter, bridging the gap between information and practical implementation.
Geetthan’s journey to this role is marked by his deep-rooted experience in laboratory medicine. He has worked as a lab technician on every single bench in Specimen Management at UHN. His familiarity with the intricacies of lab operations equipped him with the insights needed to drive quality improvements.
“It’s not just about looking at the data; it’s about understanding the intricacies of the industry and using that knowledge to make informed recommendations,” Geetthan says. “Our focus isn’t on singling out individuals; it’s about recognizing areas where processes can be improved to reduce the risk of errors.”
He manages safety events, analyzes data, and helps streamline processes to enhance patient care. He starts his mornings by attending meetings where the Specimen Management team reviews statistics from the previous day’s operations. This includes reviewing expected and actual patient numbers, addressing any sick calls for the day, and discussing recent safety events.
“The goal of these morning meetings is to identify any areas of concern, share insights about recent safety events, and ensure that our lab operations are running as smoothly and efficiently as possible,” Geetthan explains.
The core purpose of Geetthan’s role is to ensure patient safety and minimize any errors in lab processes. He emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing safety events, such as mislabeled samples and missed orders. Geetthan and the other four Quality and Safety Specialists across LMP work tirelessly to understand the root causes of these events and implement corrective measures to prevent them from happening again.
“We aim to maintain a culture of continuous improvement, where each safety event is a learning opportunity that helps us refine our processes,” he says.
Geetthan has collaborated with the Epic team to implement system modifications that led to a reduction in the occurrence of missed orders. Additionally, he spearheaded an effort to guarantee accurate patient check-ins. He’s also been gathering data to support a larger project aimed at optimizing the scheduling process for outpatients.
“We’ve made significant strides in automating processes and providing our technicians with tools that help them make well-informed decisions,” Geetthan says. “This not only improves the patient experience but also enhances the accuracy of our operations.”
Approaching safety events as problems to solve rather than short-term concerns is key. This method allows for lasting solutions that positively influence patient care, according to Geetthan.
As Geetthan continues to contribute to UHN’s commitment to patient safety and quality care, he is excited about the positive impact his role can have on both staff and patients. Through a proactive approach to safety events and process improvements, Geetthan and his team are shaping the future of laboratory operations at UHN.
“I am proud to be a part of a team that prioritizes patient safety and continuously strives for excellence,” he says. “Our collective efforts are making a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and the overall quality of healthcare.”
The Pathology Report 
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