Automation in the Histology Laboratory: A Comparison of Manual Verses Automated Processes
Author : Sarah E Wall
Abstract :
Automation can significantly reduce the time that is spent on manual processes, automation can also provide a quicker turnaround and offer a good quality product. However, the automation needs to be a sustaining innovation that offers ease of use for the user, and that provides the benefits that are expected. Across the histology laboratory the processes remain mostly manual and therefore it gives an opportunity to look to innovation to help the process through of the laboratory. The opportunity to provide the customer with a high quality end product at a quicker turnaround time must be investigated and compared with the manual embedding technique. Research shows that the auto-embedder can offer a high quality end product, and also reduce overheads. By using the auto-embedder to embed samples the histologist can save approximately 80% of their time that is normally spent manually embedding samples. The average payback of an auto-embedder would be around 2 years. Implementation of automation requires the use of a more modern change management approach, and this must carefully consider the employee where the innovation will be in use.
Keywords :
Automation, culture, disruption, embedding, engagement, histology, laboratory, return on investment, sustaining, transformation
