Adoption of lean principles in a high-volume molecular diagnostic microbiology laboratory

J Clin Microbiol. 2014 Jul;52(7):2689-93. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00430-14. Epub 2014 May 14.

Abstract

Clinical laboratories are constantly facing challenges to do more with less, enhance quality, improve test turnaround time, and reduce operational expenses. Experience with adopting and applying lean concepts and tools used extensively in the manufacturing industry is described for a high-volume clinical molecular microbiology laboratory, illustrating how operational success and benefits can be achieved.

MeSH terms

  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / economics
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / methods*
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine / standards
  • Humans
  • Laboratories / economics
  • Laboratories / organization & administration*
  • Laboratories / standards
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / economics
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / standards
  • Workflow