The WSLH Forensic Toxicology Team received a University of Wisconsin-Madison 2015 Administrative Improvement Award for their efforts to reduce turnaround time for impaired driver drug testing without compromising quality.
Increased demand for drug testing had caused average turnaround time to balloon from just over 60 days in 2003 to more than 260 days in 2012.
With process improvements put in place by the team, turnaround time for drug testing is now less than 60 days for 90% of samples. Importantly, law enforcement agencies that had decreased sending samples to the WSLH due to turnaround time delays have increased the number of samples they now send for testing.
The Administrative Improvement Awards recognize exceptional performance in UW-Madison administrative roles supporting academics, research, student services, outreach or administration. Emphasis is given to outstanding work that results in improved efficiency, increased revenue channels, cost savings or improved service delivery.