Lean Six Sigma in Laboratory Medicine
Posted by: meikah | 3 November 2009 | 8:37 pm
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.
Filed under: Healthcare, Laboratory Medicine, Lean, Lean Six Sigma, Siemens
2 Comments |
Innovation of the Week: Siemen’s Game Engine Modeling
Posted by: meikah | 9 March 2007 | 4:09 am
Game Engine Modeling or GEM is a software that drives the physics and graphics of video games.
The idea of the GEM is that it speeds up development of factory equipment with less cost. This hopes to benefit midsize original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
The business advantage of GEM is its potential as a tool to enable factory-machine designers to build virtual equipment, bypassing expensive and cumbersome physical prototypes. The tool would also allow factory workers to train safely and quickly on the 3D digital machines. Both scenarios offer Siemens clients the means to slash both designers’ and factory supervisors’ billable hours. In addition, they can cut the cost of constructing full-size prototype robots for use on the factory floor to test the layout and efficiency of machines, conveyor belts, and other systems.
The sim won’t fully replace physical models, but will decrease the number of models required and speed up a company’s machine-development time, not to mention shortening the time-to-market phase of the products made in the factories. Designing a new OEM factory machine generally takes several months—first configuring the mechanical design, then the electrical design, the building of a physical prototype, and final tests and refinements.
Source: BusinessWeek Online, “Siemens’ New Game Strategy”
