Small Change, Big Results

lab bench organization

3 Lab Bench Organization Mini Strategies for Huge Efficiency Gains

5S Lean for Healthcare, Small Change, Big Results

Lab benches are notorious time thieves. Office and clinical supplies conspire to create a confusing mess without a well-defined organization system. If left unchecked, they will hide critical items and even crowd you out of your workspace. Not cool, bench. Fortunately, lab bench organization is one of the easiest, most rewarding ways to improve efficiency …

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3 Solutions for Histologists Who Don’t Like Damaged Specimens & Want to Keep Their Sanity

Small Change, Big Results

Make these a part of your everyday routine to make your every day easier.   Biopsy Bags  — They’re nylon so they’re resistant to moisture — Keeps specimens intact during flow cytometry — Easier to find your specimen when you need it — Fits into any biopsy or tissue cassette   Tissue Capsules — Easier …

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Small Change, Big Results: 3 Easy Ways to Keep Blood Bank Processing Simple and Safe

Small Change, Big Results

5S Lean processes can help streamline blood bank processing to improve efficiencies and safety. Here are our 3 top solutions for a “lean” blood bank. 1. Donor Vial Caddy: No More Bags, Envelopes, or Even Worse — Entire Trays for One Specimen • Keeps blood tubes together with the blood bags • Barcode labels can …

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Small Change, Big Results: Yes, Accessorizing Your Glove Dispensers Can Make a Difference

Small Change, Big Results

Making gloves easily accessible throughout your facility is easy when you accessorize your glove dispensers. Here’s 3 easy add-ons that can alleviate annoyances that get in the way of your everyday routine. “I need gloves closer to me to be efficient, but the closest surface is metal.” Use Magnet Mounts These super-strong magnets simply screw …

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Small Change, Big Results: An Orderly Procedure Cart Drawer Could Save a Life

Small Change, Big Results

The drawers in your procedure carts should be an extension of the 5S Lean processes that are applied in storage rooms. This can be easily accomplished by adding drawer organizers that keep cart contents neat and accessible. For procedure carts containing equipment or instruments, use drawer organizers with larger compartments. Be sure to label your …

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Small Change, Big Results: Why You Need to Use Labels on Your Wire Shelves

Small Change, Big Results

Labeling is a crucial part of the 5S Lean process of setting things in order. Every item, and location where items are set, should be clearly labeled so no time or effort is wasted searching. When time is critical, semi-permanent label holders are perfect for keeping supply areas up-to-date on their labeling: holders with magnets, …

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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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