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Case Studies

Workflow study outputs highlighting qualitative and quantitative evidence.

Solutions

  • From Cytogenetics to Cytogenomics-Top 5 Reasons to Automate FFPE Tissue FISH Processing

    April Schrank-Hacker, Ed.D., MSOD, CG(ASCP)CM

    Cytogenetics has played a pivotal role in clinical and cancer diagnostics for over 60 years. The use of genomic technologies speeds targeted genetic analysis - but can high throughput automation in the cytogenetics laboratory broaden traditional approaches?

  • ADDRESSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVING CARE CADENCE BY DRIVING INTERDEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION

    Rhondalyn Bomkamp, RN, BSN, MBA

    Wendi Waugh, R.T. (R)(T) CMD CTR BS

    Kimberly J. Byrwa-Neff, RN, BA, CPHQ

    Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC) is a community hospital in Portsmouth, Ohio. Review of data pertaining to breast care delivery demonstrated opportunities for improvement. Analysis of the cadence of care processes across departments demonstrated delays in care and outmigration potential. One quality study demonstrated 10% of patients did NOT select SOMC for surgical intervention post biopsy.

  • BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING A SPECIMEN TRACKING SYSTEM (STS) IN ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY

    Anatomic pathology has historically relied on manual systems of tracking and data collection. While many laboratory information systems (LIS) provide rudimentary data on cases, tissue blocks and slides, they fail to report data in such a way as to be useful in real-time decision making.

  • REDUCING BATCH SIZE TO IMPROVE SLIDE TURNAROUND TIME

    The Leica Biosystems Process and Solutions Optimization team has partnered with Queen Elizabeth Hospital to examine how to optimize their processes to reduce turn-around-time. QEH is most interested in having slides assigned to their Pathologists earlier in the day. The Process and Solutions Optimization team identified a few changes to help recognize and monitor their goals.

  • EXPEDITING PATIENT CARE THROUGH IMPROVED BI-RADS FINALIZATION

    Rhondalyn Bomkamp, RN, BSN, MBA

    Wendi Waugh, R.T. (R)(T) CMD CTR BS

    Kimberly J. Byrwa-Neff, RN, BA, CPHQ

    Leica Biosystems working in partnership with Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC), conducted process assessments to analyze the timeliness treatment for breast cancer patients. We identified a lack of standardized processes for conduction of imaging services and elongated time to diagnosis. The Breast Imaging and Reporting Data System (BI-RADs) is the standardized method to record findings on imaging studies.

  • IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES IDENTIFIED FROM BREAST PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES

    Kimberly J. Byrwa-Neff, RN, BA, CPHQ

    Rhondalyn Bomkamp, RN, BSN, MBA

    In partnership with the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC), Leica Biosystems’ Process & Solution Optimization team worked with several hospitals with the goal to improve the quality and efficiencies of their breast programs. Through this work, the team identified common barriers and improvement opportunities.

  • OPTIMIZING AUTOMATED TISSUE PROCESSING EFFICIENCY TO REDUCE COST

    The Leica Biosystems Process and Solutions Optimization Team partnered with a large U.S.-based academic medical center to examine how to best utilize equipment in its pathology lab to gain efficiencies while saving money. This hospital is most interested in the impact that equipment can have on reducing turn-around time and saving money in the routine histology lab. By benchmarking current practices and performing a capacity analysis, the Process and Solutions Optimization Team can quantify key performance indicators (KPIs) contributing to the lab’s operational efficiency and present a solution that satisfies its goals.

  • OPTIMIZING PROCESS WORKFLOW THROUGH LAYOUT REDESIGN

    The Leica Biosystems Content and Evidence Team has partnered with a private, multispecialty clinic to assess the impact of implementing automated specimen tracking into their laboratory. This laboratory is most interested in increasing efficiency and patient safety throughout their processes.

  • OPTIMIZING MICROTOMY, CASE ASSEMBLY AND IHC TESTING THROUGH IMPLEMENTATION OF AUTOMATED SPECIMEN TRACKING

    The Leica Biosystems Content and Evidence Team has partnered with a private, multispecialty clinic to assess the impact of implementing automated specimen tracking into their laboratory. This laboratory is most interested in increasing efficiency and patient safety throughout their processes.

  • OPTIMIZING EFFICIENCY THROUGH AUTOMATION IN H&E STAINING

    The Leica Biosystems Process and Solutions Optimization team has partnered with Wisconsin Diagnostics to evaluate and optimize efficiency through automation. For this study, the HistoCore SPECTRA ST H&E staining system was utilized with two different platforms. The HistoCore SPECTRA ST Stainer, with detached Leica CV5030 Coverslipper, was compared with the HistoCore SPECTRA CV coverslipper, offering attached and automated coverslipping.