Efficient Laboratory Workflow Management

BayBiotech.NET

In current times demands on laboratory performance are becoming more intensive as the number of new tests and diseases are adding on to our list as well as a greater demand for accuracy in test results is increasing by a much more controlled regulatory environment.
In order to meet these demands, laboratory personnel are working on an ongoing basis to improve efficiency and productivity through better control over the operation and function of all aspects of the testing process by incorporating automation and use of computerized system wherever possible.

Creation of an efficient Workflow helps make the entire process cost effective and efficient and a framework for creating a workflow may include:
1. Understanding the issues relating to creating a work list
2. Describe ways to minimize laboratory contamination
3. Understand ways to improve labor efficiency
4. Understand key variables that contribute to testing accuracy
 Explain the importance of sensitivity and specificity
 Describe the relationship between prevalence and predictive value

The core of a good laboratory set-up must focus on providing the practitioner with accurate test results that can be achieved by minimizing the cross-contamination and avoiding loss of in-process test samples at different steps of the test performed.

Two main types of cross-contamination that can occur in a laboratory set-up are:

 Organism contamination from the original sample
 Amplicon contamination, which can occur when aerosols from the amplified product enter the air and ultimately transfer to other sample tubes. Trace amounts of amplicon can initiate additional amplification reactions, potentially leading to false-positive results

Benefits of Automation:

In order to minimize the errors and maximize the accuracy of a test result organizations are implementing automations and the benefits of it include:
 Efficiency gains
 Improved turnaround time (TAT)
 Reduction in laboratory errors
 Overall improvement in patient care

In order to avoid the cross-contamination, the Laboratory design considerations may include:

1. A secluded area for sample preparation. Identify key variables that affect specimen collection and transport.
2. Describe the steps in a sample collection procedure.
3. Define carry-over contamination and describe methods to prevent its occurrence.
4. Describe methods for minimizing sample inhibition.
5. Identify sample preparation procedures that increase the risk of contamination.

In order to avoid the cross-contamination, the laboratory routine process may include:

 Avoiding moving freshly filled pipettes tips over open tubes.
 Use pipette tips that have aerosol plugs.
 Maintain physical separation between preamplified materials and amplified.
 Incorporate barriers such as oil or covers in the amplification reaction mix.
 Follow manufacturer's procedures for daily cleaning and decontamination.
 Identify sources of physical contamination, such as frequent touch-points on workstations, keyboards, telephones, etc.
 Change gloves frequently.
 Change lab coats frequently or utilize disposable gowns.
 Restrict gowns and equipment to single areas.
 Perform laboratory environmental "swipe" tests routinely to check for contamination.
Implement routine monitoring of technologist procedures to ensure strict compliance. To read more on this visit:

http://www.lab-education.org/review_ed_mod/mod01_slide38.htm