In unprecedented times, hospitals are turning to unprecedented measures. Here's an example of how Hutchinson Health is using robots to off-load staff in these busy times, and reduce opportunity for cross-contamination.
THE BACKGROUND
Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson, Minnesota, is just one of dozens of Savioke®, Inc. healthcare industry clients who have adopted Relay® service robots. “Hutch Health” is a licensed 66-bed, Level 4 Trauma Center, including an inpatient mental health unit, The Hutchinson Health Clinic and Urgent Care, Hutchinson Health Hospital, BirthCare and a new Cancer Center. It now has over 700 employees.
Video Courtesy Swisslog Healthcare
Watch the Hutchinson Health Video Testimonial.
THE CHALLENGE
In 2015, Hutchinson Health integrated its hospital and clinic laboratories, so transporting specimens back and forth between the two areas became a very laborious, manual process.
The original process included drawing blood from patients in the Clinic Lab, waiting for staff to deliver the blood and tissue samples to the Hospital Lab for processing, and bringing samples from the Cancer Center back to the Hospital Lab.
“We wanted to take advantage of the latest technology, utilize it, and deploy it in ways to provide greater patient care and have better patient outcomes,” said Glen Kegley, Chief Operating Officer. “It became evident that we needed to take advantage of that technology to help with that transport process.”
Watch the Hutchinson Health Video Testimonial.
THE SOLUTION
After a Relay service robot was ordered in 2018, the Patient Family Advisory Council encouraged the Hutchinson Health staff to share their ideas on its naming. The lab staff chose “Spencer”, the Relay service robot, because he was a “specimen dispenser”.
“The Relay design is sleek and big enough to carry what we need without taking up a lot of room. I think that Spencer will become even more functional as we move on because there are so many things that he can do that we have even attempted to do yet,” adds Mr. Kegley.
“We had people running back and forth constantly.
But if they were too busy, that affects your blood testing.
Spencer is reliably transporting samples at a very consistent rate.”
– Laura Templin-Howk, Lab Manager, MLS, MBA
THE RESULTS
Since May 2018, Hutchinson Health has realized:
Higher cost effectiveness vs. using an employee transporter
An average of 695 deliveries per month, available 24/7/365
Higher staff and patient satisfaction ratings
On average savings of 15-20 minutes per patient per day
Over 13,200 deliveries in the first 19 months
Improved staff efficiency with lower labor costs and reduced clinical staff time
Increased delivery collaboration across departments.
MORE STAFF TESTIMONIALS
“He reduces variables in scheduling, creating joy and smiles.” –– Scheduler of Lab
“Spencer is a workhorse during night shifts and part of the team.” – Phlebotomist
“Minimal IT support in deployment.” – Head of IT
