AUTOMATION

There are several individual steps in the analysis process as a whole in a laboratory such as:

1. Identifying the patient
2. Getting the correct sample
3. Identifying and proper labeling of the sample
4. Delivery of sample in proper storage condition and within time
5. Preparation of sample for test
6. Sample loading/aspirating
7. Analysis
8. Reporting 
9. Entering in register

Automation has a lot of benefits for the laboratory personnel:

1. Reduces the workload 
2. Increases turnaround time (Saves time used per analysis) 
3. Increases total number of tests done in less time 
4. Eliminates repetition and monotony from human life so decreases human error, improves accuracy
5. Improves reproducibility (repeatability)
6. Uses minimum amount of sample and reagent

Usefulness of automation in advanced and well equipped clinical laboratory can be also extended to:

1. Transport of specimen
2. Processing of specimen 
3. Loading of specimen into auto analyzer 
4. Assessment of results of performed tasks

     Analysis in lab can be automated right from the step of patient identification upto report delivery. However, due to the hidden cost and demand of trained personnels at each stage most of the labs restrict their automation only at the laboratory analysis level. This is mainly done by auto analyzer. Modern auto analyzers run mostly on the principle of discrete analysis where each analysis takes place in different cuvets, avoiding carry over effect. Random access analyzers are the most versatile type where multiple tests can be run at any time. Integrated system in auto analyzers improve efficiency but increases maintenance tasks and cost per test. :)

MARKETING

4 P’s of Marketing

1. Product - the first of the Four Ps of marketing. A product can be either a tangible good or an intangible service that fulfills a need or want of consumers. Whether you sell custom pallets and wood products or provide luxury accommodations, it’s imperative that you have a clear grasp of exactly what your product is and what makes it unique before you can successfully market it.
2. Price – Once a concrete understanding of the product offering is established we can start making some pricing decisions. Price determinations will impact profit margins, supply, demand and marketing strategy. Similar (in concept) products and brands may need to be positioned differently based on varying price points, while price elasticity considerations may influence our next two Ps.
3. Promotion –  looks at the many ways marketing agencies disseminate relevant product information to consumers and differentiate a particular product or service. Promotion includes elements like: advertising, public relations, social media marketing, email marketing, search engine marketing, video marketing and more.
4. Place – Often you will hear marketers saying that marketing is about putting the right product, at the right price, at the right place, at the right time. It’s critical then, to evaluate what the ideal locations are to convert potential clients into actual clients. Today, even in situations where the actual transaction doesn’t happen on the web, the initial place potential clients are engaged and converted is online.

As the four Ps all need to be considered in relation to each other, it doesn't really matter in what order you define them. This is why you may find them quoted in a different order from the one used above. In particular, they're often referred to in the order "place, price, product, promotion.

FIRE PREVENTION

The goal of fire prevention is to educate the public to take precautions to prevent potentially harmful fires, and be educated about surviving them. It is a proactive method of reducing emergencies and the damage caused by them.

1. Class A Fires -  includes fires of ordinary combustible materials present in the laboratory such as wood, plastics, paper and textiles.
2. Class B Fires -  includes fires of flammable liquids and gases.
3. Class C Fires - includes fires in energized electrical equipment, which require for their extinguishment the use of nonconductive media.
4. Class D Fires -  includes fires of combustible and reactive metals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and lithium. These fires pose special problems of control and extinguishment, since spreading and explosion can easily occur.

Fires prevention in your workplace consists of four steps:

1. Implement a program that includes preparation, prevention, and recognition of fire hazards.
2. Make sure you practice proper handling of combustible and flammable material.
3. Maintain safe housekeeping practices that reduce the risk of fire danger.
4. Always keep adequate fire suppression equipment in your work area to extinguish fire before it goes out of control.

     Prevention, detection and extinguishment of fires are the basic aims of a fire protection program. An effective fire safety program must involve both laboratory management and workers. Management is responsible for the development of the program and for the training of personnel. Laboratory workers are responsible for following the safety standards required by the program in the daily operation of the laboratory. :)

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Today, clinical laboratories are facing growing challenges in the reduction of bad-debt, claim-error, staff and budgets along with the need for compliance updates, rigorous accounting discipline and more. Labs have a crucial need to optimize their business processes, therefore an efficient and effective billing operation is required.

One effective way to come up with successful financial management is to establish BUDGET MANAGEMENT OR FINANCIAL PLANNING. By stimulate the plans, helping others to coordinate the use of lab resources, encourage realism so that plans are achievable within available resources, help improve the quality of plans, as staff are helped to focus on and discuss service priorities, and improve clarity of vision and staff motivation.