Evaluating the Sysmex DI-60 Integrated Slide Processing System’s impact on hematology differential turnaround times and patient care: Real-world implementation experience in a large Veterans Affairs hospital

Abstract Objectives This quality improvement study conducted at the Kansas City VA Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, investigated the Sysmex DI-60 Integrated Slide Processing System’s ability to improve hematology turnaround times when integrated into daily practices. It further addressed potential patient care factors associated with changes in turnaround times. Methods Three months of manual and Sysmex DI-60 patient data were examined between May 2022 and February 2023. White blood cell (WBC) ranges, turnaround times, working hours, and study months were analyzed using 2-tailed unpaired t testing and percentage change. The number of specimens in these categories was further analyzed using 2-tailed, 2-sample proportion testing. Results This quality improvement study indicated that the Sysmex DI-60 system produced a statisitcally significant reduction in turnaround times overall and for various ranges of WBCs plus work shifts. The most statistically significant improvement in turnaround times occurred for WBC concentrations less than 2.0 × 103/µL and concentrations within the reference range. In addition, the off shifts experienced a notable improvement in turnaround times. Conclusions The Sysmex DI-60 system substantially decreases turnaround times for differentials, thus potentially benefiting patient care by providing prompt results. It is possible that reducing turnaround times could expedite emergency department admissions and discharges as well as enhance care for the oncology department’s patients. It could also lead to more timely results for patients with false-positive flags by the Sysmex analyzer, which may also help with clinician decision-making.