“If we were to send out samples to some other lab, the cost would be huge, which is why it is beneficial for us to internalize as many tests as possible,” said Charles Park, director of operations and site administrator for the new laboratory.Īdditional capacity at both Sherman Way and Chino Hills means that the organization’s other regional laboratories, for instance in Colorado or Georgia, can send their more esoteric tests to one of the Southern California laboratories that has the capability and capacity. Now, with the extra capacity, these tests can stay in house. With the Sherman Way facility reaching capacity, it’s probable that many complex and routine tests would have to be sent to non-Kaiser Permanente laboratories at high cost to the organization. The fewer number of steps is better for us and better for our members, who will get their results faster.’’ Quicker Test ResultsĪnd in time, these new processes will also save Kaiser Permanente millions of dollars. Other Kaiser Permanente laboratories have this technology, but this is new and improved. “It’s not a go here and then go back there. “The workflow is very linear in the way the specimens are flowing,” he said. Quam added that the workflow design was also important in creating this facility. “With automation here, it greatly reduces the chances for human error and it reduces the number of repetitive injuries.”ĭr. “At a lot of other labs, they manually process samples. Quam, MD, assistant executive medical director for Laboratory Care Delivery Systems and Regional Reference Laboratory, at the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, the physicians group that provides care to Kaiser Permanente members in Southern California. “When you compare this laboratory to other existing laboratories, it’s a very different design,” said David A. A specimen arriving at the new Chino Hills lab rides on the Labotix equipment. This not only saves time and increases efficiencies, but also decreases workplace injuries. There is automation in every segment of the process – from the moment the samples arrive in their brightly colored cooler bags – limiting the need for human contact with potentially highly infectious specimens and samples. The new lab features robotic arms, high-resolution cameras, and swift-moving automation lines that quickly move test tubes and petri dishes to their proper destinations within seconds. Southern California’s expanded capacity will also help to support the growing demand for highly specialized testing for some of our other regions.” Automation at Every Turn “With the two Southern California laboratories in place, we’re prepared for the anticipated growth and needs of our membership across the region for years to come. “Kaiser Permanente’s laboratory services are, collectively, one of the largest in the country,” Arellanes said. The speed and precision of equipment, as well as much more efficient processes, make the new Chino Hills facility a “marvel,” said Lisa Arellanes, executive director for Laboratory Strategy and Implementation at Kaiser Permanente. ![]() The laboratory, which was formerly an abandoned retail furniture warehouse, complements the testing done at Kaiser Permanente’s other regional reference laboratory in Southern California, the Sherman Way Regional Laboratories in North Hollywood. At nearly 150,000 square feet, the new LEED Gold laboratory is larger than three football fields, with room to expand if needed. The new Kaiser Permanente Chino Hills Regional Reference Laboratories, which opened last fall in San Bernardino County, shares responsibility for testing and analyzing approximately 60,000 samples a day. State-of-the-art San Bernardino County Facility Helps to Efficiently Process Specialized Lab Tests
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