Case Study: CBC+CRP (C Reactive Protein) Testing for Outpatients in the Pediatrics Department

What are the characteristics of your institution?

We are one of the Atom Group institutions which totally provides medical care, welfare, education and other services. Our vision was to provide a pediatric practice that offers reassurance to parents and the local community. This goal was finally achieved in July 2012 with the opening of our pediatric clinic. We named our Pediatrics Department Tulip, hoping to bring a smile to every young patient's face. To better support the community, we introduced additional services, such as patient pick-up and temporary nursing care for sick children. 

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How did you improve test systems?

Previously, all tests were outsourced. Even urgent tests required one or two hours, which was still too long to wait. The patients often needed to return for a second visit to hear the results. Now, with the CBC+ CRP analyzer installed in our treatment room, nurses can perform the tests themselves. Results are available within 5 minutes.

• CBC (complete blood count) contain red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC also helps diagnose conditions.
• CRP (C reactive protein) is an acute-phase reactant increased in the serum of patients with pneumococcal infection.

Why do you test CBC & CRP? Which patients benefit from this testing?

In the pediatric clinic, we test CBC & CRP for those with fever and suspected infections to find out the cause and severity. Infants aged 9-10 months tend to develop anemia, so we measure CBC as needed. In the internal clinic and ward, elderly people with infections do not always present with fever. So CBC+ CRP results are helpful to diagnose undetected pneumonia and other serious infectious diseases.

Who performs CBC + CRP tests?

The instrument is easy to operate. Not only clinic nurses but also ward nurses can perform the test even at night and on weekends.

How are the test results reported?

The results are printed out in duplicate. One copy is kept in patient's health record file, and the other is given to the patient.

How do you obtain blood samples?

We collect blood samples from veins. Instruments that require only small sample volumes are very helpful as it is difficult to draw larger amounts from young patients.

Is running a middle-sized hospital with less than 200 beds becoming more difficult?

We have 160 beds, 48 for medical-care sanatorium and 112 for long-term care sanatorium. Government medical fee policy is harsh on sanatoriums. We work hard to combine the Atom Group's overall capacity for best operation and enhance our strong points to be an attractive and irreplaceable hospital for the local community.