Adapting mobile robotic technology to intralaboratory specimen transport

To evaluate and implement two identical inexpensive robotic vehicles for transport of patient specimens within our clinical laboratory.

We accepted delivery of the first two robotic vehicles produced by a local vendor and studied the vehicles for 13 months. The first 4 months of familiarization and customization were followed by 9 months of routine use.

Within the specimen-processing, hematology, and chemistry sections of a large academic medical center's clinical laboratory, one floor below ground.

The vehicles replaced 1.5 individuals who transported specimens.

The number of kilometers the vehicles traveled and the number of routes begun, completed, not completed, and with unknown status. In addition, we assessed the types of problems that occurred, employee satisfaction, and financial payback.

When used on all shifts for 13 months, the vehicles traveled an average of over 2000 routes and 212 km per month. At any one time, at least one vehicle was operational. Of the 17 problems that occurred, the most frequent were navigational problems caused by obstacles, such as personnel, in the vehicle's right-of-way. For 6 of the last 9 months, navigational, mechanical, and electronic problems together occurred no more than two or three times per week. Financial payback for the vehicles occurred in less than one year.

By the end of the study, the robotic vehicles completed 99.4% of their routes. Specimen-processing and transport personnel reported the vehicles made their jobs easier and improved timeliness of specimen delivery. We anticipate our potential savings over 5 years to be approximately $200,000 (US).