Alleviating bottlenecks in a microbiology laboratory Original Research Article

This paper presents the application of Operational Research methodology to the logistics of food testing at a microbiology laboratory. Firstly, bottleneck analysis is used to identify the two most crucial, of the eight, stages. The two bottleneck stages, of sample pipetting and agar distribution into Petri dishes, are then subjected to special purpose scheduling analyses. The scheduling algorithms are each illustrated without undue technical detail. Reversal in the priority order of sample pipetting and the, related, plate labelling process, results in a 22% efficiency gain. Similarly, co-ordination of the production schedule of the agar in which the samples are grown, with the test sample sequence, substantially reduces agar requirement and wastage. The overall effect on the entire process is to allow continuous testing throughout the day and an increase in the capacity of the laboratory of over 20%, with no additional staff or capital investment.