Related Experiment Videos
Automation: triumph or trap?
Clinical Laboratory Management Review : Official Publication of the Clinical Laboratory Management Association
|October 4, 1997
Summary
Implementing laboratory automation requires careful consideration of potential challenges. Adopting an industrial engineering approach helps identify and mitigate issues, ensuring automation investments provide significant returns.
Area of Science:
- Laboratory automation
- Industrial engineering principles
Background:
- Laboratory automation is a growing trend but often involves substantial costs.
- The financial implications of automation require thorough evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To guide laboratories in evaluating automation implementation.
- To highlight the importance of an industrial/manufacturing engineering perspective.
- To ensure automation yields substantial financial and operational benefits.
Main Methods:
- Analyzing automation from an industrial/manufacturing engineering viewpoint.
- Identifying potential problems created by automation, not just those solved.
- Developing a framework of critical questions for automation assessment.
Main Results:
- Automation decisions can be optimized by considering potential drawbacks.
- A proactive approach prevents unforeseen issues and maximizes efficiency.
- Strategic questioning leads to more successful automation integration.
Conclusions:
- Laboratory automation requires a holistic evaluation beyond immediate benefits.
- Integrating industrial engineering methodologies ensures cost-effectiveness and success.
- Careful planning and questioning are crucial for realizing the full value of automation.