On 14th January 2013, we hosted our first pathology debate with a panel of key industry experts. It seemed timely to be discussing how we can make end-to-end automation in pathology a reality. With the Department of Health calling for a paperless NHS and the pathology reconfiguration in the East of England, we’re likely to see dramatic changes in laboratory services over the coming years.
As a logistics company specialising in transport across a number of sectors, we’ve been able to look at the challenges facing NHS pathology from a different perspective. We’ve always understood that healthcare is different. But we’ve been able to look at reconfiguration from a practical quality and efficiency point of view.
The starting point for much of our work with the NHS is mapping routes and workflow. This means being a little dispassionate about the bricks and mortar that have traditionally housed parts of the NHS. We understand and respect the deep-felt feelings people have for their local services. But we have to look at what will create the safest and most efficient pathology logistics to support patient and service needs now, and into the future.
Once the workflow is understood, technology applied in the appropriate way can transform pathology services. Laboratories that are able to prioritise deliveries and specific testing requirements can process more samples. GPs can offer patients greater flexibility in phlebotomy services. Samples can be tracked en route and everybody in the system – from the phlebotomist to the laboratory – has the reassurance provided by an electronic audit trail that bleed-to-test times are being met.
This is an example of where automation, and removing the paper systems such as those highlighted by the Secretary of State for Health, can make genuine improvements to delivery of the services patients receive.
We understand that logistics are only one piece of the pathology jigsaw. But we also know that we can offer more than trained, accredited drivers and specialised vehicles. By applying proven technology and approaches from other sectors where we transport important goods, we can help the NHS move forward in this critical part of the service.
And perhaps we can play our small part in helping to deliver the vision of modern pathology as outlined by Lord Carter of Coles.
Andrew Turner
CitySprint Healthcare Director
07989 857 816
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