Sonic Healthcare UK: Condition monitoring & tracking of sensitive samples using IoT technology

Background

Sonic Healthcare UK (SHUK), a leading diagnostic testing provider, expanded its services to support the National Health Service (NHS) in 2015, emphasizing transparency and service excellence. With over 45,000 samples tested daily, SHUK became instrumental in the UK’s healthcare ecosystem, managing a vast network of sample collections and a fleet of over 200 vehicles.

Challenge

SHUK’s commitment to maintaining high-quality standards necessitated a sophisticated logistics and tracking system. Their team required reliable, real-time visibility of sample locations and environmental conditions (e.g., temperature) during transport. Traditional logistics methods with single collection points and limited transport options risked sample quality and hampered workflow efficiency.

Solution with Sensolus

By partnering with Sensolus, SHUK integrated IoT-based condition monitoring into their logistics processes, enabling:

1. Real-Time Tracking: Sensolus provided real-time location and temperature monitoring, ensuring sample integrity from collection to delivery.
2. Proactive Alerts: The system sends immediate alerts for any deviations (e.g., temperature shifts or spills), allowing for prompt corrective action.
3. Optimized Routes and Workflow Efficiency: Sensolus’ insights enabled SHUK to streamline routes and reduce redundant lab stops, enhancing logistics efficiency and resource allocation.

We were looking for innovative ways to streamline our logistical processes, and adopting a reliable IoT tracking solution was the next step. One step further was to achieve the competitive edge of knowing exactly where each sample is and its in-transit temperature at any point in time. Such an accurate level of information has allowed us to optimize our collection and delivery routes, and optimize the number of laboratories as well.” - Amar Pabari is Director of Group Laboratory Services at The Doctors Laboratory,

Results

This partnership transformed SHUK’s logistics and operational practices. Benefits included:

• Enhanced quality control with prompt alerts, minimizing sample risk.
• Increased flexibility in sample holding and transport, allowing SHUK to safely transport samples across the country.
• Simplified workflows, reduced administrative workload, and improved team management.

Conclusion

SHUK’s adoption of Sensolus technology has redefined standards in healthcare logistics. Their commitment to leveraging condition monitoring showcases a proactive, data-driven approach that ensures compliance and elevates patient care. This partnership exemplifies how embracing IoT in logistics can lead to transformative results, setting a new standard in healthcare sample transportation and inspiring innovation across the industry.