Theresa FordDirector of MarketingSakura Finetek, USA, Inc.April 29, 2010 EWC
Disruptive technology and disruptive innovation are terms used in business and technology literature to describe innovations that improve a product or service in ways that the market does not expect.
Disruptive technology and disruptive innovation are terms used in business and technology literature to describe innovations that improve a product or service in ways that the market does not expect.
Disruptor Disruptee
Cellular phones Fixed line telephony
Discount retailers Department stores
Light Bulbs Gas lamps
Light Emitting Diodes Light bulbs
Centralized labs Small full service labs
Rapid Tissue Processor Conventional Tissue Processor
Automated Embedder Manual Embedding
Continuous Workflow Batching
Situation Before Automation Automation
Staff 11 8
Workflow 3‐6 large batches EOD 15 ‐ 20 small batches all day
Tissue Processors 6 conventional 2 RTPs
Batch size 150 to 300 1 to 30
TAT (routines) 18 hours 13 hours
Reprocessed Blocks/Day
30 3
Shifts 3 shifts Staggered, family friendly hrs.
Work Culture Stop and start, harried early AM atmosphere
Calmer, steady, less pressured, time to do things right.
Metric 50 blocks/HT/ 24 hr 80 blocks/HT/24 hr
Reagent Use 576 liters/week 4 liters/week
Situation Before Automation Automation
Staff 6 Histotechs2 PAs
3 Lab Assistants
6 Histotechs2 PAs
3 Lab Assistants
Workflow 2 large batches EOD4PM
12 ‐ 14 small batches from 9:30AM to 3:45PM
Tissue Processors 2 conventional 1 RTP
Batch size 150 to 300 1 to 30
Tissue Samples All formalin fixed 60% fresh from surgery
PA responsibilities Gross 8:30 to 5PM Gross 8AM to 4:45PMFixation (time stamped marker)
Workflow Last slides out at 12:30PM (previous day)
Slides all day, last slides delivered at 5:30PM (same day)
Administrative Staff 4 Pathology secretaries, bolus of work at end of day.
One shift
4 Pathology secretaries, even workflow throughout day, 3
shifts
Situation Before Automation Automation
Patient Waited up to 37 days for biopsy results
Learned results same day and started therapy same day
Oncologist Waited days Interacts with pathologist and starts therapy same day
Diagnostic Testing Spread out over weeks All done same day
Therapy Weeks later Regime established same day
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090507/pmh_clinic_090507/20090507
Two modelsCombined technologyOne hourMolecularly friendly reagentsContinuous loading80% reduction in reagent
Only automated embedderSignificant labor savingsStandardizationUnique sectionable cassettesOrientation at grossing
Walkaway efficiencySignificant throughputRoutine and special stainsIndependent operation
QUESTIONS ?