Interactive ToolUpdated Jan 2026
Lab Workflow Audit Checklist
Find the hidden inefficiencies. Document your current state before optimization with this systematic workflow audit.
How to Conduct Your Audit
Time Allocation
2-3 hours document review + 4-8 hours observation and interviews
Who to Involve
Bench scientists, supervisors, client services/accessioning, IT
Part 1: Pre-Analytical Phase
Sample Reception & Accessioning
Average time from arrival to logged in system
Samples requiring manual vs electronic orders
Peak reception hours and queue length
Missing/incomplete information rate
Staff dedicated to accessioning
Questions to Ask Staff
- • What causes the biggest delays in accessioning?
- • How often do you call for missing information?
- • What percentage of samples have legibility issues?
- • Where do samples sit waiting? For how long?
Part 2: Analytical Phase
Work Distribution & Batching
How are samples routed to departments?
Batch vs continuous processing
Time from accession to analysis start
Stat/urgent sample prioritization
Instrument Utilization
Which instruments have longest queues?
What causes instrument downtime?
Are worklists manual or automated?
Is instrument-LIMS integration bidirectional?
Quality Control
QC frequency by test/instrument
QC result entry (manual vs automated)
QC failure frequency
Impact of QC failure on patient samples
Part 3: Post-Analytical Phase
Result Review & Verification
Auto-verification rate (%)
Manual review rate (%)
Critical value notification turnaround
Amendment/correction process
Result Reporting & Delivery
Result delivery methods
Failed delivery rate by method
Portal usage rate
Time from verification to delivery
The 8 Wastes to Look For
Defects: Data entry errors, mislabeled samples
Overproduction: Unnecessary QC, duplicate testing
Waiting: Samples waiting for info, batching delays
Non-Utilized Talent: Scientists doing data entry
Transportation: Excessive sample movement
Inventory: Expired reagents, overstocked supplies
Motion: Walking between workstations
Extra Processing: Redundant verifications, duplicate entry
Need Help with Your Workflow Audit?
We conduct comprehensive workflow assessments and help laboratories identify and eliminate inefficiencies.
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