TY - JOUR
T1 - The Optimization of Total Laboratory Automation by Simulation of a Pull-Strategy
AU - Yang, Taho
AU - Wang, Teng Kuan
AU - Li, Vincent C.
AU - Su, Chia Lo
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
PY - 2015/1
Y1 - 2015/1
N2 - Laboratory results are essential for physicians to diagnose medical conditions. Because of the critical role of medical laboratories, an increasing number of hospitals use total laboratory automation (TLA) to improve laboratory performance. Although the benefits of TLA are well documented, systems occasionally become congested, particularly when hospitals face peak demand. This study optimizes TLA operations. Firstly, value stream mapping (VSM) is used to identify the non-value-added time. Subsequently, batch processing control and parallel scheduling rules are devised and a pull mechanism that comprises a constant work-in-process (CONWIP) is proposed. Simulation optimization is then used to optimize the design parameters and to ensure a small inventory and a shorter average cycle time (CT). For empirical illustration, this approach is applied to a real case. The proposed methodology significantly improves the efficiency of laboratory work and leads to a reduction in patient waiting times and increased service level.
AB - Laboratory results are essential for physicians to diagnose medical conditions. Because of the critical role of medical laboratories, an increasing number of hospitals use total laboratory automation (TLA) to improve laboratory performance. Although the benefits of TLA are well documented, systems occasionally become congested, particularly when hospitals face peak demand. This study optimizes TLA operations. Firstly, value stream mapping (VSM) is used to identify the non-value-added time. Subsequently, batch processing control and parallel scheduling rules are devised and a pull mechanism that comprises a constant work-in-process (CONWIP) is proposed. Simulation optimization is then used to optimize the design parameters and to ensure a small inventory and a shorter average cycle time (CT). For empirical illustration, this approach is applied to a real case. The proposed methodology significantly improves the efficiency of laboratory work and leads to a reduction in patient waiting times and increased service level.
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U2 - 10.1007/s10916-014-0162-6
DO - 10.1007/s10916-014-0162-6
M3 - Article
C2 - 25472727
AN - SCOPUS:84913534078
SN - 0148-5598
VL - 39
JO - Journal of Medical Systems
JF - Journal of Medical Systems
IS - 1
M1 - 162
ER -