Rapid transport of blood samples reduces response time dramatically

In 2015 Ramathibodi Hospital, a leading public hospital in Thailand, decided to invest in two Tempus600 systems for transporting blood samples. The hospital needed to bring down the total turnaround time (ToTAT) and reduce the amount of inpatient bed days.

This was essential because of the large number of patients being treated in the hospital every day.

Two Tempus600 sending stations were installed in one of the main Health Service buildings sending blood samples from two different levels directly to the laboratory located in the Main Building.

Now every sample takes less than two minutes of trans- portation instead of 45 minutes previously used by porters.

With the total turnaround time reduced from 85 minutes to 45 minutes because of Tempus600, the patients receive better treatment and return home earlier.

The challenge

• The three main Health Servicing buildings service at least 5000 outpatient visit per day and there is more than 1000 beds for inpatient medical care. The Ramathibodi Hospital wanted to bring down the total turnaround time for blood samples and reduce the amount of bed days.

The solution

• In 2016 two Tempus600 sending stations were installed at the hospital and following the success of those, two more were installed in 2017.

The benefits

• Sample transportation time is reduced from 45 minutes to a maximum of 2 minutes
• Total turnaround time has been reduced from 85 minutes to 45 minutes, leading to achieving target Lean goals
• Amount of bed days have been reduced

Download printable version of the case - UK version