Transforming Research Resource Management at SickKids Research Institute with QReserve
SickKids Research Institute (RI) is Canada's largest child health research institute, dedicated to improving children's health through innovative research. It is affiliated with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto and conducts cutting-edge research across various disciplines, including genetics, cell biology, and clinical sciences.
Before implementing QReserve, SickKids Research Institute (RI) lacked a central tool for sharing research equipment resources and had no centralized system for booking space and equipment. The research teams relied on spreadsheets that weren't visible to all users and depended heavily on a few key individuals for knowledge about equipment availability. Additionally, the manual sign-up sheets and calendars used for booking equipment and space were inefficient and error-prone.
In 2015, Janet Ma, Director of Research Facilities, Infrastructure and Space Management at SickKids RI, and her team began meeting with one of QReserve's implementation specialists to develop a solution.
SickKids RI successfully rolled out QReserve, and began integrating it into their daily operations. Since then, SickKids RI has experienced significant improvements in their workflow related to bookings. The manual processes for searching and booking equipment have been replaced with a streamlined solution: The Research Institute Equipment Database.
This searchable catalogue of over 3,000 pieces of research equipment available at SickKids RI has been designed to encourage resource sharing and provides easy access to a vast array of equipment.
The database not only enhances efficiency but also maximizes the utilization of resources, reducing redundancies and facilitates access to tools across departments. This system supports SickKids’ commitment to breaking down silos and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.
By streamlining resource sharing and booking processes through The Research Institute Equipment Database, QReserve has become an important tool for Janet Ma and her team at SickKids Research Institute, improving the management and access of resources within a complex research environment.