Case StudyCase Study 1: How Lab A achieved an 88% reduction in time to first result with the BioPlex 2200 System and workflow automation
Lab A is a prominent regional reference laboratory in the Western United States. Lab A collaborates with medical practices and draw centers across the region and offers a comprehensive range of testing services that include routine chemistry, hematology, microbiology, PCR/molecular testing, and more.
In 2016, Lab A embarked on an ambitious endeavor to expand its autoimmune and infectious disease testing capabilities through consolidation and automation. To achieve this goal, they implemented the BioPlex 2200 System with a globally recognized track line.
Lab A Challenges
Before implementing the BioPlex 2200 System, Lab A faced several challenges related to laboratory space and access across all systems.
The laboratory processed specific assays on three different instruments:
- An antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) assay on the AIMs/Athena system
- Toxoplasmosis IgG and Rubella IgG assays on the Siemens Centaur system
- EBV IgG and IgM, CMV IgG and IgM, HSV IgG 1 and 2, and MMRV IgG assays on the DiaSorin LIAISON XL system
Spreading their testing menu across three separate instruments posed significant challenges for the laboratory. The three instruments, along with their associated refrigerated storage space for batch samples and consumables, occupied a considerable amount of retail space totaling a minimum of 11,866 square inches. Additionally, three dedicated technicians were needed to oversee the testing workflow for each instrument. These technicians were required to traverse a distance that ranged from 16 feet to 60 feet per round trip. This contributed to inefficiencies and delays. Ultimately, testing workflows took 26 hours and 16 minutes to complete and included 29 manual touchpoints.
Lab A Implementation of the BioPlex 2200 System: Key Outcomes and Improvements
Recognizing the need for workflow optimization, Lab A consolidated their autoimmune and infectious disease testing onto a single BioPlex 2200 System connected to a track line.
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Technologist Consolidation
With the automated platform and track line connection in place, only one technician was required to operate all three workflows. Technologist consolidation achieved an 89% reduction in hands-on time, enabling the lab technologists to allocate their time to other high-impact projects and maximize their productivity.
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Instrument Consolidation
Instrument consolidation significantly reduced the space occupied by the laboratory’s instruments, shrinking it to 4,292 square inches for a marked reduction of 64%.
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Refrigeration Streamlining
The refrigeration space underwent a notable transformation as it shifted from the use of five systems to one compact standing system. This consolidation led to a 66% reduction in the overall refrigerator space required, optimizing storage efficiency.
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Travel Time Reduction
After implementing the BioPlex 2200 System, the need for extensive travel to access storage areas was significantly diminished. The ability to store consumables near the instrument reduced travel distances to less than five feet, representing a reduction of 92%.
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Time-to-first-result Reduction
One of the most remarkable outcomes of implementing the BioPlex 2200 System with track line connectivity in Lab A was a reduction in the time to first result. The implementation brought time to first result down to 3 hours and 21 minutes, representing an 88% improvement. The number of manual touchpoints was reduced to just 10, marking a reduction of 76%. Each eliminated touchpoint reduced the opportunity for errors.
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Case Study 1 Conclusion
The results achieved by Lab A following implementation of the BioPlex 2200 System clearly demonstrate the significant benefits and efficiency improvements brought about by automation, instrument consolidation, and track line connectivity. These outcomes highlight the potential for streamlined workflows, enhanced space utilization, a reduction of manual labor, and faster turnaround times. By embracing innovative automation technology, Lab A has successfully optimized its operations and strengthened its ability to provide high-quality, timely diagnostic services, ultimately benefiting patient care and outcomes.
Case Study 2: How Lab B saw a 22% reduction in non-value-added manual touchpoints after TLA implementation
Lab B is one of the largest laboratories in Israel. A comparative analysis of Lab B's workflows before and after integrating a Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) system, consisting of two BioPlex 2200 Systems for autoimmune testing connected to a globally recognized track line, showed significant increases in productivity and workflow efficiency.
Lab B Challenges
Through a thorough examination of the laboratory’s pre-TLA activities, it became evident that a significant portion of time-consuming tasks revolved around non-value-added activities. These activities not only consumed time but also involved many manual touchpoints, contributing to inefficiencies in the laboratory workflow.
Some of these non-value-added activities included:
- Daily maintenance and transportation of reagents from the refrigerator to the instrument
- Sorting flagged samples for reruns and immunofluorescence assays (IFAs)
- Loading sample racks onto loaders and subsequent loading onto the BioPlex 2200 System
- Unloading and storing samples in the refrigerator
The cumulative duration of these manual activities amounted to 2 hours and 52 minutes per day. Moreover, these tasks introduced 1,095 manual touchpoints. The non-value-added time consumed and the large number of manual touchpoints created barriers to timely patient care and constrained the laboratory's capacity to keep up with the growing demands for testing.
Lab B Integration of the BioPlex 2200 Systems with TLA: Key Outcomes and Improvements
Lab B integrated its BioPlex 2200 Systems with their analytical track line in order to streamline their workflow. Integration also enabled seamless sample handling and minimized manual labor, which improved throughput.After analyzing time consumption and manual activities pre and post TLA implementation, the following were noted:
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An impressive 21% reduction in non-value- added touchpoints was seen post TLA.
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While there was no change in value-added time, there was a 16% reduction in non- value-added time post TLA.
Case Study 2 Conclusion
By identifying inefficiencies and implementing TLA, laboratories can eliminate non-value-added activities, reduce the number of manual touchpoints in their workflows, and significantly improve their ability to promptly deliver reliable results.
Conclusion
Integrating TLA with the BioPlex 2200 System in clinical laboratories has substantial benefits for optimizing workflows and improving patient outcomes. The case studies of Lab A and Lab B provide objective evidence of the positive impacts of BioPlex 2200 System integration. Adoption of the BioPlex 2200 System can help laboratories leverage advanced automation technology to address inefficiencies caused by the 7 wastes, streamline their workflows, and provide enhanced patient care.
