The principles of Lean Six Sigma is perfect for laboratory medicine. So I say, it’s about time that Lean Six Sigma invades the laboratory.
An article on DarkDaily says that laboratory transforms manual urinalysis with automation. Pre-analytical products, automated systems, and Lean Six Sigma are combined to improve outcomes.
This is what Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Jonestown, Pennsylvania did.
Conemaugh’s laboratory recently did a top-to-bottom makeover on the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes it used for urinalysis testing. This comprehensive effort incorporated automated urinalysis analyzers, new specimen collection products, and Lean Six Sigma methods.
After adopting a closed urine collection system, introducing automated urinalysis, and using Lean Six Sigma methods to streamline workflow and eliminate sources of waste or errors, Conemaugh’s clinical laboratory produced some impressive results. The changes to its urinalysis testing program generated cost savings of $24,000 per year. There was also a 26% overall reduction in urinalysis turnaround time, more accurate results, and an enhanced ability in the lab to meet demand.
