Change management strategies implemented by tertiary clinical laboratories of tertiary government hospitals in Quezon City during COVID-19 pandemic / Joan Camille S. Cheang, Jonathan L. Alba, Pablo Alberto D. Apolonio, Hannah Elizabeth Y. Castro, Ashley B. Malana, Irish G. Padilla, Marie Isabelle S. Panganiban, Beatriz Fiona S. Reyes, Ashley Romero, Hannah Gayle O. Tabali, Rochel D. Tsai and Ericka Marie M. Valdez.

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.

Abstract: This study used a descriptive type of research that aimed to determine the change management strategies implemented by tertiary clinical laboratories of tertiary government hospitals in Quezon City during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to the unprecedented hurdles like test development issues, supply chain issues, and novel remedies to usual operations during the pandemic. This study interviewed tertiary clinical laboratories of tertiary government hospitals within Quezon City consisting of key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGD) using the modified survey questionnaire. The study's findings demonstrated that tertiary clinical laboratories of tertiary government hospitals in Quezon City were able to resolve test development issues by carefully monitoring test volumes, developing new diagnostic criteria, purchasing new equipment, setting up separate, isolated areas in their laboratory to conduct RT-PCR testing, and using rapid test kits. Additionally, with the help of internal and external support and the adoption of a protocol to make the best use of all their resources, supply chain issues were resolved. The use of high-level personal protective equipment, restricted outpatient care services and social gatherings, social distance, improved laboratory ventilation, schedule changes for staff, additional staff training for new equipment, and stringent safety procedures both inside and outside the hospital were employed by laboratories as part of their novel remedies. Given this outcome, the government and the health system's joint efforts to develop policies and plans for ongoing surveillance and preventing similar health threats from occurring again could have a significant effect on the general healthcare population, especially given that the COVID-19 pandemic is still actively spreading throughout the world.

Thesis - School of Medical Technology