◄ Back to Blood Service in Brief July 2016

An upcoming trial of a replacement part for existing equipment could eliminate the need to weigh whole blood packs before centrifugation, creating a leaner, more efficient process at the Blood Service, which, combined with other lean initiatives, should ultimately benefit customers in the long run.

As part of our ongoing commitment to safety, hazard reduction and working smarter, we have completed a successful evaluation of a self-balancing rotor that fits into our existing centrifuges.

Currently, team members have to weigh each whole blood pack before centrifugation to ensure the load is well balanced and doesn’t throw off the centrifuge balance during operation. With the introduction of the new rotor, there’s no need to pre-weigh as it detects and adjusts for any significant imbalance. This makes the process of whole blood manufacture both safer and faster, enabling replacement of inventory more efficiently.

The next step is a three-month pilot test of the rotor in the Melbourne and Sydney Processing Centres. During the pilot, we will gather data in our normal operating environment to monitor workflow impacts and ensure there are no impacts to component quality.

If the change proves successful, the rest of the remaining suitable centrifuges in our other processing centres nationwide will be fitted with the new rotor. It’s just one part of our ongoing commitment to reducing manual processes in our manufacturing areas for better, simpler and more efficient methods of supplying the right products at the right time for our customers.

Photo: New rotors will eliminate the need to weigh blood packs before centrifuging.

 

◄ Back to Blood Service in Brief July 2016