Introduction
Clinical lab space planning is key to improved workflow and staff productivity. Master Planning efforts allow a laboratory to ensure its departments are ideally situated both in relation to each other and in relation to the inpatient clinical services they support.
At Accumen, we utilize “zero-based” space programming. We first project future volumes, based on both organic and strategic test volume growth by functional area (department). Then, we project the equipment that will be required to meet those test volume projections in each area. Finally, we build a test fit that encompasses those equipment projections, adding in administrative and staff support spaces to determine how much space a lab of your test volume and complexity requires.
Clinical Labs Designed by Lab Experts
When hospitals need to renovate a lobby, they contact an architect.
When hospitals and architects need to modernize a lab, they contact Accumen.
As a lab leader, you know your department is an integral part of your health system’s ability to care for patients. But as technology changes, many clinical labs struggle to adapt because of space limitations. An efficient, flexible lab layout will boost efficiency, reduce errors, and decrease costs, all while enabling your facility to take advantage of future technological innovations.
Why is Space Planning Such a Problem in Hospital Labs?
Multiple disciplines with specialized equipment and processes Various complex automated and manual procedures Changing regulatory requirements that impact workflows New technology and equipment that take up space Small workforce with employees stretched across disciplines
Why Choose Accumen for Space Planning?
Our approach balances the unique needs of individual laboratories with optimal operational efficiency and high customer-service standards. We combine our real-world operational experience and intimate knowledge of the clinical lab with a deep understanding of Lean workflows, including potential obstacles.
Advanced Planning and Review Visualizations:
Our Approach to Modern Lab Design and Space Planning
Accumen’s expert team is composed of experienced lab leaders and Lean Six Sigma experts. We take a comprehensive approach incorporating your lab’s operations, revenue, and service goals into account and creates an environment that supports long-term success.
Conduct Project Preplanning
Develop balanced scorecard strategy, taking into account growth, service, people, and financial goals
Review health system and master facility strategic plans
Analyze services, current equipment, current process flow
Identify customer needs
Identify employee needs
Analyze current space and organization structure
Conduct facility review
Analyze inventory system
Develop high-level design notes including operating assumptions and future process flow
Incorporate technological changes or new requirements that will affect the space
Identify key adjacencies and supporting activities
Identify workstation needs and other constraints
Calculate needed space
Create high-level space plan(s)
Evaluate space plan options
Develop floor plan and cost estimates
Create schematic design
About Accumen:
Accumen’s team of highly experienced subject matter experts (SMEs) are nationally recognized in their field include CPA’s, MBA’s, Licensed Medical Scientists (ASCP), and a team of experienced laboratory business professionals who are best positioned to assist hospitals, health systems, attorneys, and investment bankers successfully manage healthcare industry challenges in the lab sector.
