Time-motion analysis of 6 cystic fibrosis mutation detection systems.
BACKGROUND
A dramatic increase in requests for routine cystic fibrosis (CF) carrier screening prompted us to conduct a time-motion analysis comparing commercially available CF testing platforms. Questions addressed in the study included: (a) How much time is required to perform each step involved in carrying out the assay procedure? (b) Which system requires the minimum number of manual manipulations to complete a typical run? (c) What workflow benefits can be achieved by automation?


METHODS
We used a 96-sample run for comparisons and analyzed each of the 6 methods to determine the number of pipetting steps and manual manipulations, the labor and instrument time, and the total time required to perform the assay. The survey participants included a staff of 4 technologists who perform complex molecular assays regularly. Time required for each procedure was determined by direct observation and from work logs completed by the technologists.


RESULTS
The total number of pipetting motions varied from 78 to 344. Labor time ranged from 2.6 to 8.4 h, and total assay time from 7.6 to 13.7 h.


CONCLUSIONS
Time-motion analysis allowed identification of a method that minimized pipetting motions and thus reduced the risk of repetitive stress injury.
Krafft
Amy E
AE
Department of Molecular Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. Amy.Krafft@afip.osd.mil
Lichy
Jack H
JH
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000235:genetics*; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D013996:Time and Motion Studies
C505032:CFTR protein, human; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator