Microbiology Laboratory Automation Project: Quality Improvement, Productivity & Challenges
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National Healthcare Group
31 December 2023
To sustainably improve efficiency, quality & productivity through workflow redesign by leveraging automation. Automation increased sample throughput, improved TAT, and reduced manual workload, enhancing lab quality.
Year Submitted: 2023
Published Date: 31 December 2023
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Product Development, Productivity, Manhour Saving
About this Content
Aims
To sustainably improve efficiency, quality & productivity through workflow redesign by leveraging automation.
Background
Rapid diagnosis bottlenecks required sustainable process improvements using automation.
Methods
Automation for high-throughput microbiology tests; MRSA, VRE screens & urine cultures.
Results
Increased productivity: 102.3 samples/FTE (LPI improved), 19.5% greater throughput, hands-on time reduced by 790.8 hours annually.
Conclusion
Automation increased sample throughput, improved TAT, and reduced manual workload, enhancing lab quality.
Lessons Learnt
Sustainable productivity gains via laboratory automation with challenges addressed.
Additional Information
Related to a 2022 project: Microbiology Laboratory Automation.
Keywords
Laboratory Automation, Turnaround Time, Sample Throughput
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Tan Tock Seng Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Ancillary Care |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Medical ＆ Laboratory Technology |
Project Lead(s) | Partha Pratim De |
Project Member(s) | Iris Lim Sing Pei |
Connect with this contributor!
Ms Iris Lim Sing Pei - Iris_Lim@ttsh.com.sg