Recovering Lost Time
Laboratory Informatics
Oral Presentation
Prepared by J. Brown, P. Schulert, K. Zenisek
Pace Analytical National Center for Testing and Innovation, 12065 Lebanon Rd, United States, Mount Juliet, TN, 37122, United States
Contact Information: jbrown@pacenational.com; 615-773-3253
ABSTRACT
Managing a production lab environment presents a variety of challenges. Analysts work within a standardized system of loading sample workgroups onto instruments for analysis in a specific order. After loading, they continue to move forward through workgroups during the day. Continuous workflow is key to making sure client services are provided in a timely manner in spite of required prep, instrument maintenance, and lengthy run times.
So where is the lost time? Our analysts were busy all day running instruments, loading samples and producing data it seemed. No one had any time to spare.
During the first day of a lean event we observed the VOC lab and we noticed several GC/MS instruments that were sitting idle, though they had been loaded with workgroups. None of the analysts were idle but precious run time was slipping away unnoticed. In an effort to recover this time, we were driven to invent a solution that would alert our analysts by sound and flashing lights when an instrument was not running. This forced not only awareness, but action. This was only the beginning of identifying ways to improve and recover time. The next step was to take the instrument information we were monitoring and feed it to a user-friendly interface that could display the status of each instrument at any given time, and even send alert vie text or email when an instrument stopped for any reason. This became our ARTIST, a unit that paints a picture of the status and functioning of our lab in real time. Being informed is the first step in recovering valuable time. Though that time may be identified in small amounts, it will add up to have a significant impact on your client service and profitability.
Laboratory Informatics
Oral Presentation
Prepared by J. Brown, P. Schulert, K. Zenisek
Pace Analytical National Center for Testing and Innovation, 12065 Lebanon Rd, United States, Mount Juliet, TN, 37122, United States
Contact Information: jbrown@pacenational.com; 615-773-3253
ABSTRACT
Managing a production lab environment presents a variety of challenges. Analysts work within a standardized system of loading sample workgroups onto instruments for analysis in a specific order. After loading, they continue to move forward through workgroups during the day. Continuous workflow is key to making sure client services are provided in a timely manner in spite of required prep, instrument maintenance, and lengthy run times.
So where is the lost time? Our analysts were busy all day running instruments, loading samples and producing data it seemed. No one had any time to spare.
During the first day of a lean event we observed the VOC lab and we noticed several GC/MS instruments that were sitting idle, though they had been loaded with workgroups. None of the analysts were idle but precious run time was slipping away unnoticed. In an effort to recover this time, we were driven to invent a solution that would alert our analysts by sound and flashing lights when an instrument was not running. This forced not only awareness, but action. This was only the beginning of identifying ways to improve and recover time. The next step was to take the instrument information we were monitoring and feed it to a user-friendly interface that could display the status of each instrument at any given time, and even send alert vie text or email when an instrument stopped for any reason. This became our ARTIST, a unit that paints a picture of the status and functioning of our lab in real time. Being informed is the first step in recovering valuable time. Though that time may be identified in small amounts, it will add up to have a significant impact on your client service and profitability.
