Implementation of model for improvement (PDCA ‐cycle) in dairy laboratories

Abstract The aim of this study was to implement Plan‐Do‐Check‐Act (PDCA cycle) as a method for the continuous quality improvement in the dairy laboratories. This method was used to identify and analyze the critical problems that occur in the preanalytical stage of ultra‐high‐temperature (UHT) milk samples, to find the root causes of their occurrence and proffer solutions. Results showed a reduction in the number of the contaminated UHT milk samples from initial 368 to 85. Moreover, the capability index (CP) increased from 0.52 to 1.07. These reductions in the number of contaminated milk samples and increase in CP increased the efficiency from 68.02% to 74.06% and the effectiveness from 88.95% to 96.85%. Thus, PDCA methodology can be successfully applied in the dairy laboratory to reduce the occurrence of errors and increase the processes capability to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of dairy laboratory. Practical applicationsContinuous quality improvement (CQI) is used in process improvement in medicine laboratories for patient's fulfillment, where the implementation of process improvement project in medicine laboratories resulted in a positive influence with more effective and simplicity workflow. Also, CQI in dairy laboratories is considered an essential issue, as the analytical quality assurance plays a fundamental role in the precision of laboratories results. Furthermore, future laboratory accreditation, which is considered a fundamental tool for the d...
Source: Journal of Food Safety - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research