[Hardware].

Abstract

For effective management of clinical laboratory in spite of a shortage of medical technologists, we modified conventional analytical instruments on the market, and developed the automatic transport mechanism and the robotic analytical instruments to suit the operational needs of our laboratory. Consequently, we succeeded in designing a system in which the results for 89% of all the tests ordered were reported within 60 minutes after the time when the specimens were received at the laboratory. As a result of this laboratory automation system, medical technologists were spared from their routine work, and their expertise was now diverted to the other duties like examination for microbes in hospital facilities, evaluation for sterilization of surgical instruments, and maintenance of measuring apparatuses in the operating rooms. In addition, the technologists also became involved in preventive health activities for university personnel such as: periodical healthy check, and screening programs for adult diseases, and the like. Some became engaged in the health management programs for radiological department workers. Thus, the introduction of this laboratory automation system, enabled the medical technologists to cooperate in hospital operation activities and to contribute to the prevention of iatrogenic disorders.