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In Focus
The Lean Healthcare Institute methodology is designed specifically for the pathology and diagnostic laboratory. Instead of learning about Lean through exercises that only apply to a manufacturing environment, LHI uses real cases from laboratory operations. Learn More |
Product & Services Guide 2011
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Greetings!
Thanks for being a subscriber and following the Nexus News. Visit us for ideas on management and continuous improvement programs and to access article archives for past issues at the Nexus News Archives |
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Achieving Balance in Automation: Optimizing Time and Staff - A Tale of Two Solutions
Tim Baker, Managing Partner
May 31, 2011 Summary of previous article
Diagnostic laboratories continually seek to balance the physician's request for faster test results with the productive capacity of the lab staff. This "need for speed" is complicated by increasing test volumes and a critical shortage of lab techs. One solution provided by the IVD industry is to improve laboratory productivity by providing mechanical automation. A recent Nexus study examined the performance of two systems based on individual assay turnaround times (TAT), testing throughput and labor efficiency.
This study objectively evaluated the productivity of the Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics VersaCell™ System (which included an ADVIA® 1800 Chemistry System, an ADVIA Centaur® XP Immunoassay (IA) System, and the VersaCell unit) compared to the Roche cobas® 6000 analyzer series (configured with two analyzers, each utilizing one cobas c501 chemistry module and one cobas e601 IA module). The measuring systems had to be objective and fair and the design of the experiment was conducted consistently for all systems.
Both the Roche cobas 6000 and Siemens VersaCell System provide an automated combination of chemistry and IA testing within a single system. Nexus observed two different workloads captured in an operating hospital laboratory. More...
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Nexus Event Schedule Remaining in 2011
AACC (American Association for Clinical Chemistry), July 24-28 in Atlanta
IIE Lean and Six Sigma Convention (Nexus Speakers), September 13-14 in Atlanta
G-2 Lab Institute 2011, October 19-21 in Arlington
AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) October 22-25 in San Diego
AMP 2011 Annual Meeting, November 17-19 in Grapevine, Texas
Partnerships
Market research partners are being sought for anatomical pathology, molecular diagnostics and general clinical chemistry studies. Contact Nexus for more information (honorariums typically provided): Click to Contact Nexus |
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Service in Focus: Customized Software
Nexus has extensive experience in developing customized software tools for the laboratory and medical device industries. These tools have many applications. They can be used to:
1. Help a diagnostic representative to quickly provide instrument integration ideas
2. Complement a lab employee's efforts at creating a "Lean environment"
3. Help a lab evaluate effectiveness through LabMetrics
4. Evaluate competitive systems on performance and menu characteristics
5. Provide instrument efficiency data (i.e., best menu combinations)
6. Help make purchasing decisions through Total Cost of Operation evaluations
Total Cost of Operation models are one of the most popular applications. Through a thorough but simple data input process, comparisons are easily generated that will assist you in positioning your product against the competition. Our customized software can also address lab productivity issues. Using the Nexus LabMetrics program, our software can also provide a powerful tool for improving the productivity of the laboratory while also tracking and often reducing costs.
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Tools of the Trade: The "Time Study"
At Nexus we are constantly striving to better understand the laboratory's environment, needs and processes. This information is used for both the lab operation (to make improvements) and the company that sells products to the lab (to understand the voice of the customer). To better understand the operation, one of the most frequently used tools is the "time study". A cornerstone of the discovery process, time studies reveal many things about the customer, not the least of which is the workflow and processes.
The only way to perform a time study is to watch in detail every aspect of the operation that is of interest. If an instrument throughput and labor times are needed, then this might require an 8-hour study of the instrument with each and every detail observed and timed. The steps in the process (called elements) are catalogued and timed.
Sometimes the process can be digitally recorded and studied later, but more often than not, video is not adequate on its own.
Nexus generates many reports and analysis. Although some conclusions can be enhanced with interview data, the cornerstone of all Nexus conclusions are objective data acquired through actual on-site observation such as time studies.
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