The next generation of sample collection kits: the future is automation
Within our ever-evolving global landscape, automation has long served as a trusted companion to modern society. Initially assisting within simple and repetitive workflows, the integration of data-led automation is now used to streamline complex and critical processes, improving efficiency, advancing data management and transforming production workflows.
Enhanced supply chains, optimised inventory management, end-to-end visibility and confirmed compliance are just some of the benefits we’ll address. Automation is the revolution of the diagnostic space, permitting the at-home sample collection sector to unlock its true potential.
The age of automation innovation
From as early as the Industrial Revolution, automated tools were set with the task of transforming our work processes and freeing labourers from tedious, often dangerous jobs. This movement quickly gained immense popularity and subsequently permeated various major industries.
Recognising the advantages of simplifying tasks through automation, the applications extended into laboratory settings, streamlining their repetitive and time-consuming tasks like sample handling, testing, and analysis.
As innovation advanced, automation evolved beyond addressing only tedious and simple workflows, to become a tool for managing far more complex and crucial systems. For this reason, the healthcare industry, marked by intricate and specialised tasks, sensitive patient information, and the need for heightened data handling measures, was one of the last to transition.
This changed with the transformative introduction of data-led automation. Healthcare now leverages sophisticated digital technology in its everyday processes, ultimately leading to the widespread integration of automation within the industry.
The benefits of healthcare automation
Offering a plethora of benefits, modern innovators around the globe continue to transform manual efforts through automated techniques. Surrounding healthcare automation, these benefits centre around the same core features:
Improved efficiency
Eliminating manual labour strains has been shown to facilitate high-throughput production. As this is both a time-efficient process that is also less susceptible to human error, the result is a far more resourceful process.
Leading to faster results, quicker diagnosis and prompt treatment, improved efficiency within the healthcare arena proves highly effective for the diagnostic kits fulfilment, testing and treatment process.
Accelerated production speed
Imagine if during COVID-19 our diagnostic and treatment processes were solely manual? The outbreak would have left the healthcare system extraordinarily overwhelmed, leaving patients without diagnosis or appropriate care.
Automated production lines and supply chains allow us to meet market demand with ease. By accommodating large-scale production, with quick turnaround times and a faster time-to-market, our healthcare resilience is cemented and its high-throughput, scalable.
Data management is enhanced to improve accuracy and reliability
Used to collect, store, manage and analyse data, automation integrates into data management processes to improve data quality at a significant rate. This provides accurate and consistent results on an unmatched level.
Automation possesses the ability to take data management to new heights, meaning that the very thing that the healthcare system initially sought to safeguard has evolved into one of the most significant reasons why automation is now highly prized.
The need for automation in sample collection kits and packaging
With automation infiltrating countless major industries, the diagnostic arena bears no exception. One such emerging trend within the diagnostic space is how automation has shaped the medical packaging landscape throughout the past decade.
Factors such as preventative care, remote patient monitoring and the ageing population have brought increasing pressure on an already constricted healthcare system. Turning to advances in telemedicine and remote healthcare is now a viable solution.
With a new focus on remote diagnostics and sample collection, challenges with managing a remote cohort and associated compliance complexities means the logistical process as well as the secure handling of the diagnostic data have all ramped up the pressure on the diagnostics industry.
Already valued at 6.21 billion in 2023, the global home diagnostics market is predicted to expand by a healthy 5.2% CAGR over the next ten years. With the need for sustainable, resilient, innovative and scalable packaging solutions never greater, this is where automation truly shines.
Automating sample kit production and management not only provides high-speed manufacture and unmatched scalability, but it also has the potential to truly revolutionise diagnostic kits and propel remote sample collection to unprecedented levels.
Integrating automation to enhance sample collection kits and the supply chain
Automation in relation to diagnostic kits predominantly means enhanced production lines, improved scalability and reduced labour costs for an overall more efficient dispatch process. Advanced, data-led automation, however, can be used to not only transform production workflows but also provide a more streamlined digital communication pathway.
We dive into these transformative processes and their benefits below:
End-to-end visibility and traceability
For remote sample collection, providing a pathway that seamlessly manages individual diagnostic data remains a core focus. For this to be achieved each individual kit must be provided with an unique identification form for auditing, verification and management purposes throughout the supply chain.
Introducing data intelligence software not only allows organisations to track and monitor the movement of goods and information in real-time but allows for diagnostic data to be processed at scale whilst being collected and tracked with extreme precision and accuracy.
As a leading packaging manufacturer and channel fulfilment specialist, RDi partners data management software and video imaging techniques. This has proven to transform the identification, traceability and management of remote diagnostic kits. Offering a seamless track and monitor system for each collection kit in real-time whilst producing a unified workflow that manages large data sets with ease.
Optimised Inventory management
Data-led management solutions are highly valuable at providing real-time monitoring of inventory levels, helping manufacturers by supporting forecasting, maintaining sufficient stock levels, and avoiding over-stocking or underproduction.
For an enhanced inventory and distribution process, RDi’s automated management systems can monitor all stock at each stage, including the management and release of finished medical sample kits in response to orders and on-demand requests.
Confirmed compliance
Given the heavily regulated procedures in place for safely transporting UN3373 samples and the sample collection kits packaging, a focus on providing a consistent regulatory compliance rapport is paramount.
Automated production and management systems can ensure that the build and delivery of each product remains in line with regulatory standards, to the highest level of quality.
Our automated production capabilities are underpinned by RDi’s in-house compliance team and ISO 13485 accreditation. By doing this, we can facilitate the smooth manufacture of a range of fully compliant diagnostic packaging solutions, delivered on time and at scale.
Transform your sample collection kit and packaging processes with RDi
Having produced over 100 million sample collection kits for the healthcare sector to date, RDi offers an unmatched ability to manufacture and manage your bespoke diagnostic kit requirements with ease.
With data-led, automated manufacturing at the core of our service offering, we specialise in partnering production lines with digital-driven technologies to continue to revolutionise the remote diagnostic space and wider healthcare system. At RDi we are ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certified, giving our customers peace of mind that their data is safe and secure.
To streamline your manufacture approach and transform the operation and delivery of your diagnostic packaging, get in touch with RDi.
