Thomas Howing, Author at MLab Blog

Small Change, Big Results: One Clinical Lab’s Success Story

Small Change, Big Results, Solution Success Stories, Specimen Transport

At Florida Hospital, Celebration Health, 5S Lean isn’t necessarily defined as a massive undertaking. Instead, staff of the Orlando-area hospital recognize big problems and find small ways to fix them. Here’s one of their stories. Margaret Bartlett is a laboratory operations director at Celebration Health. Her department received concerns from the labor and delivery unit …

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Organizing Your Blood Draw Station: 3 Tips to Get You Started

5S Lean for Healthcare, Phlebotomy

Are you overwhelmed at the thought of de-cluttering your phlebotomy area? Don’t sweat the small stuff. Look at the big picture and think “Lean” to get you started, because 5S Lean practices translate to safer and more efficient blood draws. And the time you save lets you put a greater focus on your patients. 1. …

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A Clean Lab is a Healthier Lab

5S Lean for Healthcare

Consider the following to ensure you and your coworkers are working in a safe environment. Chemicals Keep bulk chemicals stored in cabinets or designated storage rooms. Only obtain an amount to keep your test or research going. This will free up lab bench space and, if you do have a spill, will minimize the amount …

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Does 5S Lean Really Make a Difference?

5S Lean for Healthcare

Many people believe that it is impossible to calculate ROI for a 5S program. This is troubling to those champions who not only have to come up with a plan, but also generate funding to sustain a 5S initiative. Let’s face it, in any organization, the inability to measure return on investment makes the process …

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The Marriage of Organization & Infection Control

Solution Success Stories

Case Study: Custom Product for Barnes-Jewish Hospital Glove Dispenser with Lid Barnes-Jewish Hospital, like all healthcare facilities, needs glove dispensers. But their Infection Control Department had a special request. They wanted a glove dispenser with a lid to keep dust and loose particles from settling into the dispenser and possibly contaminating the gloves. Easy enough. …

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Author name: Thomas Howing