Purpose or Case Report: The goal of this study is to develop a program to increase the level of understanding for the annual lead testing, what is deemed as acceptable versus unacceptable for lead integrity and more efficient tracking/documentation measures.
Methods & Materials: An educational power point was created to standardize acceptable cracks and pinpoint holes for the technologists. This has aided the process so that technologists have a clear understanding of pass, fail or second review. The process for tracking and documenting lead annually changed from a paper tracking, with handwritten descriptors, to a single database for data entry utilizing metal ID tags and grommets. Colored zip ties change annually to document which lead has been tested.
Results: Centralized database for documentation of annual lead checks with a standardized numbering system, eliminates duplicate checks (labor expense)
Easier record accessibility for the Joint Commission review (old method required manual count for totals)
Easier method of tracking missing or disposed of lead via central database (unaccounted for lead decreased significantly)
Better implementation process for newly purchased lead being brought into the Institution
Easier visibility for current year’s lead check by color coded zip ties
Staff can readily identify lead that has not been checked based on the color of the zip tie. The lead can then be imaged and recorded to central database
Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that annual testing of lead is more consistent between staff after education and a centralized database for tracking has been implemented. Tracking of lead has also transitioned from a subjective labeling system to a consistent tag system with sequential numbers
Staff is now aware of what constitutes disposing of lead versus a second review.
Post staff education resulted in a universal understanding of what size cracks are not acceptable.
Staff is empowered to make a decision on lead integrity
This has improved how lead integrity is tracked (increase in lead disposal after education)