Relocating a highly complex 5 million test per year hospital based laboratory - what you should know and what you should avoid

Abstract Introduction/Objective A highly complex hospital based laboratory performing 5 million test per year in New York City was commanded to relocate due to a clinical department need to expand. This presented a challenge regarding the obtention of a suitable new space within the existing facility, the architectural design to optimize the performance of both Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, the choice between acquirring brand new instrumentation versus relocation of the existing instruments. At the same time, we had to interact with hospital wide Facilities Management and Information Services/ Electronic Medical records. In addtion, for quality improvement and to alleviate the shortage of licensed technologist in our state, it was decided that a robotic line was to be implemented in the new facility. Methods/Case Report Several space options were assessed. Once the most suitable space was found a decision was made to move in two phases, Anatomic Pathology first, and subsequently Clinical Pathology. New work stations were purchased for Anatomic Pathology. New instruments were obtained for Chemistry, Immunology and Hematology. All instruments were validated.. Our laboratory information system had to be upgraded in order to support the robotic line, which is to be implemented after the Clinical Laboratory move. This will facilitate the expansion of in house provision of laboratory services to outpatient facilities / clinics expandin our outreach. The new space includes room to expand as well as abundant swing space. Our next phase includes the relocation of our Blood Bank and expansion of our Microbiology Services Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Due to delays in the obtention of the State Occupational permit the move was postponed several times. It was decided to move in two phases, once the permit was received. The Laboratory successfully moved in a two week period, and was fully operational overnight. Conclusion The Laboratory successfully moved in a two week period, and one week later we underwent a routine State inspection, in which the rigourous inspectos encountered very few deficiencies. The Laboratory is fully operational to the satisfaction of our clinical departmenst and preparing to the next phase including Blood bank and expanding our outreach program