A ‘LEAN'
alternative to Total Laboratory Automation
HORIBA Medical, in collaboration with its
customers Mick Chomyn
and Martin Fottles from Path Links Pathology Service, has published a white paper on the application of
LEAN principles to Healthcare entitled "
TLA
- the ‘LEAN' Alternative". Focusing on the elimination of waste, LEAN
principles offer a variety of tools and techniques to achieve this aim. The
white paper focuses on the practical application of these principles based on
the experiences of this large UK hospital laboratory group.
A fundamental goal of LEAN is to achieve a
continuous flow of work through an optimised process. Batch processing is
inherently inefficient, causing delays and bottlenecks. Simply by applying LEAN
to enhance work flow, Path Links has achieved dramatic improvements to
productivity and quality. Drawing on these experiences, the white paper provides
a practical approach to LEAN implementation and offers valuable insight into
the ‘do's and don'ts' of applying LEAN theory and practice to the clinical laboratory
workplace.
Amongst many other process re-designs, Path
Links has implemented a LEAN Work Cell concept within its Blood Science
Laboratories as an alternative approach to deploying a Total Laboratory
Automation (TLA) solution utilising highly automated ‘tracked' systems. Based
on proven manufacturing production design, the Path Links LEAN Work Cell brings
together all major laboratory analysers, including ABX Pentra DX 120
haematology analysers, in a U-shaped configuration. Whilst providing most (if
not all) of the benefits of a TLA solution, the LEAN Work Cell provides
additional advantages. These include greater flexibility, significant reduction
in space requirements and avoidance of the large investment and ongoing
maintenance needs of a tracked system.
Within the white paper it is recognised
that the strength of a LEAN approach is to fully understand and optimise work
processes and use this knowledge to guide the correct choice of equipment. In
other words, to make the equipment fit the process rather than fitting a process
around the equipment. LEAN processes aim for right-sized equipment which is
usually smaller, less complex, more flexible and less expensive than highly
automated systems.
The white paper "TLA - The ‘LEAN'
Alternative" is available for download at
www.horiba.com/uk/medical/feedback/tla-the-lean-alternative-white-paper.
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