178 - Workflow optimization in clinical laboratories
Autor(s): M.E. Bruni, D. Conforti, C. Ieropoli
Issue: RIMeL - IJLaM, Vol. 3, N. 3, 2007 (MAF Servizi srl ed.)
Page(s): 178-188
Background. The increasing automation of laboratory equipment has produced strong impacts on the organizational structure and technical requirements of clinical laboratories. This study provides an optimization model to address decisions regarding the organization of clinical laboratories. To achieve an appropriate level of service quality, it is important to involve well-orchestrated multidisciplinary teams in the design effort. A good program optimizes facilities use, fully accommodating user needs without being wasteful. This complex task involves the study and the definition of critical spatial and organizational relationships to ensure adequate capacity across the entire system. Methods. Because today’s decisions will have consequences for some years to come, selection of an instrument or structural changes of laboratory organization requires a detailed understanding of the field and the support of quantitative methods for making better decisions. An optimization model has been developed to address decisions regarding the organization of clinical laboratories. The proposed model is able to face the complex designing problem of a clinical laboratory. Easily quantifiable outcomes are used including those with intrinsic financial benefits. Results. The model was validated on the basis of real data collected from a clinical laboratory. The computational experiments carried out have shown the validity of the proposed model. To instruct the optimization model, specific data have been collected by studying written specifications and through interviews with technicians. The optimization output was considered plausible by laboratory experts. Conclusions. Our model provides useful information for assessing the performance of the laboratory and for choosing the appropriate laboratory structure. We are strongly convinced that the proposed model could be used to gain insights into the existing situation, as well as possibilities for redesign. We think also that operations research methods can be a valuable tool in supporting laboratory directors to make better management decisions, based on rationally understandable experiments rather than on subjective feelings and beliefs, even if these are grounded on a long personal experience