LEAN Work Cell Success Highlighted Within NHS Improvement Session at FiLM 2012

Path Links NHS Pathology Service recently gave a presentation on the successful implementation of a LEAN work cell based approach within its Blood Science laboratories. At the 10th Annual Frontiers in Laboratory Medicine (FiLM 2012), Mick Chomyn from Path Links NHS Pathology Service presented ‘LEAN Work Cells’ – Automation is not always the answer’, demonstrating how efficient work cells improved turnaround times and reduced staff costs without the need for expensive track.

Path Links has applied LEAN methodology to its clinical laboratories, ensuring the delivery of a cost effective and enhanced service to hospitals and Primary Care across Lincolnshire. LEAN work cells have ensured faster turnaround times, higher productivity and efficiency, increased flexibility, and improved space utilization and quality.

Path Links NHS Pathology Service and HORIBA Medical, a specialist in automated in vitro diagnostic systems for haematology and chemistry analysis, have collaborated to produce a LEAN white paper ‘TLA – The LEAN Alternative’ which details how the Service has achieved a “total LEAN solution” as an alternative to total laboratory automation.

HORIBA Medical provides a range of automated haematology analyzers which are ideal for LEAN working. Key attributes ensuring efficient workflows include: automated random access, reflex testing, automatic re-runs and integrated solutions, such as sample management, as well as slide preparation and staining systems. Also supporting optimized LEAN work cell layout, HORIBA Medical’s high throughput solutions are compact in design with inbuilt compressors, enabling them to be trolley mounted and readily moved should changes to work processes require rapid laboratory reconfiguration.

For more information follow the HORIBA company website link below this article. The LEAN white paper can be downloaded directly from our Application Article library.