Nexus News

Generally, we in laboratory diagnostics know that new technology is coming to the lab market long before it is available. Sometimes this advanced notice can be measured in months, but more often than not, it is years away. In the 1990s Total Lab Automation (TLA) was known to be on the way. The wisest lab managers prepared for it by streamlining processes and planning for the informational needs. Then, when it was affordable, the systems were integrated into a lab that was ready for it. Whether it was TLA, integrated systems, "islands of automation", or other advances, the prepared lab always got the most out of the technology.

The next game changer is likely to be RFID. It is not a new idea and it is not overly exciting, but when it comes, it will streamline the lab like never before. Rest assured, "chips in tubes" are still a few years out, but planning now will save time and money down the road. Tim has an update in this month's newsletter.

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Events

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RFID in the Modern Lab by Tim Baker, Managing Partner, Nexus

August 17, 2010

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags are the coming replacement for barcode labels on specimen containers (tubes, bottles, cassettes, slides, etc.). Unlike barcode labels that require a direct line of sight exposure to a laser reader, the unique ID of an RFID tag is read in any position and up to a distance of several feet from the RFID reader. The tag operates exactly like a road toll tag on a vehicle speeding along a turnpike. The vehicle's toll tag provides a specific ID for that vehicle which is charged for the toll without having to stop and make a manual payment.

The biggest impediment to the general implementation of RFID tags in our working environment has been cost. Barcode labels are very inexpensive to print while RFID labels (containing the RFID tag) are not. Slowly over the past 10 years this cost has declined with the advent of better technologies and the generalized use in the marketplace. Walmart has been using them to track pallets of good for years and is now ready to use them for individual items (jeans, soap, shoes, soup, etc.)[1]. While Walmart will initially use the tags to track inventory and thus restock supplies quickly, this reading process can be employed for rapid checkout.

With use by a major corporation like Walmart, many more retailers will follow, which will help turn the RFID chip into a commodity and drive the price down. Current RFID tag prices are still in the 10 cent range, too high for most current laboratory operations. However, this cost will continue to decline and can be paid for out of: 1) the reduction of staff time looking for tubes, 2) better patient outcomes from the elimination of re-draws due to lost tubes, and 3) an overall reduction in specimen errors and possible litigation.

Read Full Article

[1]http://www.mhmonline.com/news/walmart-statement-item-level-rfid-2433

Tools of the Trade

Identifying waste (in a laboratory process or any business process) through value stream mapping is a very popular practice these days. This approach uses visual charting to understand the steps in the workflow and their relationship to people, information and resources. It can then be used to isolate and fix a problem. Although the method arrived on the scene with the Toyota Production model, it is an old practice in new clothes (with some new flashes of color). For many years both internal and external lab consultants would better understand the lab processes by "process mapping" or "flowcharting" the sequential steps. All consultants and companies had their version of this: "vein to brain", "be the tube", and "staple yourself to an order" were some of the brands we heard over the years. Regardless of the name, the practice is a first step to understanding the current workflow opportunities in any business process. Whether product studies, integration analysis or business process improvement Nexus encourages the use of the method: regardless of what you name it.

Service in Focus: Lab Optimization

Nexus has extensive experience in working with lab management and healthcare companies at all levels to implement the continuous improvement philosophy: from better patient turnaround times to improved accounts receivables. Also, Nexus has extensive laboratory design experience. We have assisted hundreds of lab operations through the design process, creating lab designs that fit the Lean operations mold and maintain sound logistics. Contact us for any needs.