The pathology department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, has adopted platforms from Roche in its effort it apply LEAN principles to increase efficiency and reduce waste.
Before the LEAN principles could be applied, it was necessary to analyse how efficient the blood-sample processing was and the results revealed the need for a complete laboratory redesign.
After considering possible configurations for a serum work area (SWA) platform, the department partnered with Roche, who it felt offered the best automated solution for the size of its laboratory.
With modular pre-analytics located close to the sample reception area, the laboratory now has three analytical processing lines, consisting of two Cobas 6000 platforms and one high-throughput Cobas 8000 platform.
These are all linked to an efficient track system with a post-analytical module for automated sample storage and retrieval.
The solution is designed to ensure maximum efficiency within the laboratory and deliver results at the earliest opportunity.
The Cobas 8000 platform allows the analysis of high-volume tests to be performed at a rate that meets the required performance targets set within the laboratory.
This, combined with the Cobas 6000 platforms, permits the laboratory to optimise and standardise workflow streams.
It enables intelligent routing of samples through the system in the most efficient manner without the need for human intervention.
This has reduced manpower requirements, reduced quality defects and standardised turnaround times, the department claims.
