Improving Laboratory Processes with Total Laboratory Automation
| Autor: | Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu, Jeanene Contreras, Harold Lanzoni, Warren Derr, Jordan Olson, Kim Cannon, Tracy Steffen |
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| Rok vydání: | 2018 |
| Předmět: |
Automation
Laboratory business.industry Computer science Process (engineering) Biochemistry (medical) Clinical Biochemistry Hematology 030204 cardiovascular system & hematology Automation Turnaround time Workflow Reliability engineering Footprint Time and motion 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine 030220 oncology & carcinogenesis Laboratory automation Specimen Handling Laboratories business |
| Zdroj: | Laboratory Medicine. 50:96-102 |
| ISSN: | 1943-7730 0007-5027 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/labmed/lmy031 |
| Popis: | Background To further improve workflow efficiency, our laboratory implemented a total laboratory automation (TLA) system that connected our preanalytic processing system with various testing (hematology, coagulation, and chemistry). Methods Detailed time and motion studies were performed to create process flow maps before and after TLA. The before maps identified opportunities for workflow improvements. We used postimplementation studies to quantify efficiency gains. Results The implementation of our TLA system resulted in 86% fewer discrete processing steps in specimen handling, even when starting from a partially automated laboratory. Instrument consolidation reduced the testing footprint by 45% and reduced the number of testing personnel by 2.5 full-time employees (FTEs). An 82% reduction in hands-on time associated with add-on processes was achieved. Combining STAT and outreach work on the testing system did not impact turnaround time. Conclusions With careful planning, a TLA system can effectively optimize laboratory processes and efficiency. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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