LabCare

An interesting topic thank you.
 
I had the daunting task of managing a hospital blood bank some 20+ years back. The entire team started with ZERO experience .
Step 1 - Training - Make sure the staff know what to do and why. Whenever possible demonstrate the consequence of an action. Remind that there is a person within the test tube.
 
Step 2 - I compiled a flow-chart headed "Do it correctly the first time". The process started with the Doctor's Requisition and sample from the patient, leading into grouping patient, selecting  donor blood, performing the compatibility test, issue of compatible blood and finally the paper work. This chart was located where it was easily accessible to both "lab-rats" (as they called themselves) and hospital staff. This chart  proved a solution to preventing and avoiding short-cuts particularly during the inevitable "emergency" cases. Tasks such as reagent QC controls and inventory management were allocated to low work load shifts.
 
Step 3 - Support - the staff knew that there was always someone available at any time and that they would receive the appropriate level of support.
 
An interesting challenge still exists for managers  who today have the opportunity to use supporting technology such as remote internet access and mobile phones.