AUTOMATION IN AUTOMATION IN MICROBIOLOGY MICROBIOLOGY ( ( for blood cultures for blood cultures ) ) Dr.T.V.Rao MD Dr.T.V.Rao MD
Nov 01, 2014
AUTOMATION IN AUTOMATION IN MICROBIOLOGYMICROBIOLOGY((for blood culturesfor blood cultures))
Dr.T.V.Rao MDDr.T.V.Rao MD
Beginning of Beginning of MicrobiologyMicrobiology
Almost exactly 300 Almost exactly 300 years ago years ago Anton van Anton van LeeuwenhoekLeeuwenhoek described the first described the first bacteria seen through bacteria seen through the microscope, thus the microscope, thus providing the providing the technical basis for technical basis for studying the studying the morphology of micro-morphology of micro-organismsorganisms
Knowledge explosion in Knowledge explosion in MicrobiologyMicrobiology
The explosion of knowledge in the The explosion of knowledge in the last century, pioneered by Pasteur, last century, pioneered by Pasteur, Koch and many others immortalised Koch and many others immortalised in modern generic and specific in modern generic and specific names was dependent on names was dependent on improvements in procedures for improvements in procedures for isolating and identifying organisms isolating and identifying organisms of importance in industry and of importance in industry and medicine.medicine.
Rapid Methods are Rapid Methods are EmergingEmerging
Rapid methods and automation is a Rapid methods and automation is a dynamic area in applied dynamic area in applied microbiology dealing with the study microbiology dealing with the study of improved methods in the of improved methods in the isolation, early detection, isolation, early detection, characterization, and enumeration of characterization, and enumeration of microorganisms and their products microorganisms and their products in clinical, food, industrial, and in clinical, food, industrial, and environmental samples. environmental samples.
Changing perceptionsChanging perceptions, ,
Microbiology labs are beginning to Microbiology labs are beginning to accept the shift toward automation accept the shift toward automation for reasons as numerous and varied for reasons as numerous and varied as microbiology itself. as microbiology itself. Microbiologists and lab technicians Microbiologists and lab technicians recognize that automated solutions recognize that automated solutions are not intended to replace cognitive are not intended to replace cognitive decision-making but rather, simply decision-making but rather, simply replace tedious, repetitive steps. replace tedious, repetitive steps.
Man has Evolved So also the Man has Evolved So also the Microbes, so the need for Microbes, so the need for
AutomationAutomation
Beginning of AutomationBeginning of Automation
The field started around mid-1960s The field started around mid-1960s and with the development of a variety and with the development of a variety of miniaturized microbiological of miniaturized microbiological techniques developedtechniques developed
Streamlining workflow maintains Streamlining workflow maintains consistency but allows microbiologists consistency but allows microbiologists to devote more time to operations to devote more time to operations that require their unique skills and that require their unique skills and experience experience
Hospital Acquired Infection a threat Hospital Acquired Infection a threat to Medical Profession- needs faster to Medical Profession- needs faster
methods to Identify.methods to Identify. Microbiology labs play a crucial role by Microbiology labs play a crucial role by
establishing a front line of defence establishing a front line of defence against the threat of Nosocomial against the threat of Nosocomial infections. According to the Centres for infections. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, in Disease Control and Prevention, in American hospitals alone, HAIs account American hospitals alone, HAIs account for an estimated 1.7 million infections for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths annually. and 99,000 associated deaths annually. Of these infections, 32% are urinary-Of these infections, 32% are urinary-tract, 22% are surgical-site, 15% are tract, 22% are surgical-site, 15% are pneumoniae, and 14% are bloodstream. pneumoniae, and 14% are bloodstream.
The Clinicians need Quicker The Clinicians need Quicker ResultsResults
The shift from The shift from manual test manual test processing to processing to automated solutions automated solutions can aid in reducing can aid in reducing HAIs by providing HAIs by providing health systems with health systems with standard, consistent standard, consistent lab processing that lab processing that yields quicker, more yields quicker, more accurate test results. accurate test results.
Automation enters into Automation enters into several areas in several areas in
MicrobiologyMicrobiology Rapid Methods and Automation in Rapid Methods and Automation in
Microbiology has developed into an Microbiology has developed into an important sub-discipline of applied important sub-discipline of applied microbiology in the past 15 years. The microbiology in the past 15 years. The field deals with improved methods in the field deals with improved methods in the isolation, early detection, isolation, early detection, characterization, and enumeration of characterization, and enumeration of microorganisms and their products in microorganisms and their products in clinical, food, industrial, and clinical, food, industrial, and environmental samples. environmental samples.
Automation reduces errors Automation reduces errors and innovativeand innovative
Automated processes have gone well Automated processes have gone well beyond changing outdated procedures. beyond changing outdated procedures. They minimise potentially dangerous They minimise potentially dangerous practices, lower turnaround time, practices, lower turnaround time, reduce errors, enhance quality control, reduce errors, enhance quality control, improve specimen handling and boost improve specimen handling and boost accuracy. accuracy. Moreover, technologists in automated Moreover, technologists in automated labs tend to embrace innovation more labs tend to embrace innovation more readily. readily.
Lesser Manpower More Lesser Manpower More volume of workvolume of work
Because automation largely Because automation largely circumvents repetitive manual circumvents repetitive manual processing, lab technicians find it processing, lab technicians find it easier to focus on complex tasks that easier to focus on complex tasks that require their specific skills. require their specific skills. It is therefore remarkable that, despite It is therefore remarkable that, despite shortages of skilled personnel and shortages of skilled personnel and increases in the volume of work, it has increases in the volume of work, it has taken years for automation to become taken years for automation to become acceptable to microbiologists. acceptable to microbiologists.
Desired Objectives in Desired Objectives in AutomationAutomation
Reexamination of laboratory functional stepsReexamination of laboratory functional steps– PhlebotomyPhlebotomy– Sample labelingSample labeling– TransportationTransportation– Pre-, peri-, and post-analytical processingPre-, peri-, and post-analytical processing
Laboratory automation for improved efficiency Laboratory automation for improved efficiency and error reductionand error reduction
Create an informatics continuumCreate an informatics continuum– Process Control vs. LIS functionProcess Control vs. LIS function– Auto-verified and auto-interpreted dataAuto-verified and auto-interpreted data
Predictive genomics and the passive home Predictive genomics and the passive home monitoring paradigmmonitoring paradigm
Adding Value to Lab Tests Through Adding Value to Lab Tests Through AutomationAutomation
Lab TestLab Test– Faster TOTFaster TOT– Accuracy, Accuracy,
Precision, SafetyPrecision, Safety Add information Add information
valuevalue– Auto validationAuto validation– TrendingTrending
Effecting change Effecting change using lab resultsusing lab results– Lifestyle changesLifestyle changes– Selection of Selection of
therapeuticstherapeutics
Lab TestAuto validation
TrendingLife Style Adjustments
Appropriate Therapeutics
Every Body is a Learner to New
Technologies, Enthusiasm Makes Difference
Blood culturing most Blood culturing most important and live important and live
saving Investigationsaving Investigation
Needs optimal Methods for Needs optimal Methods for Diagnosis of Blood Borne Diagnosis of Blood Borne
PathogensPathogens
Why Blood CultureWhy Blood Culture Physician can find source of Physician can find source of
infectioninfection
Physician can initiate life-Physician can initiate life-saving support measuressaving support measures
Physician can start targeted Physician can start targeted antibiotic therapyantibiotic therapy
What is a Blood Culture?
A blood culture is a laboratory test in which blood is injected into bottles with culture media to determine whether microorganisms have invaded the patient’s bloodstream.
Need for Blood Culture?Need for Blood Culture?
No microbiological test is more essential to the No microbiological test is more essential to the
clinician than the blood culture. The finding clinician than the blood culture. The finding
of pathogenic microorganisms in a patient’s of pathogenic microorganisms in a patient’s
bloodstream is of great importance in terms bloodstream is of great importance in terms
of diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.”of diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.”
- - L. Barth Reller, Clin. Infect. Diseases, 1996L. Barth Reller, Clin. Infect. Diseases, 1996
Proof in Blood borne Proof in Blood borne InfectionInfection
A clinically suspected infection is ultimately confirmed by isolation or detection of the infectious agent. Subsequent identification of the microorganism and antibiotic susceptibility tests further guide effective antimicrobial therapy. Bloodstream infection is the most severe form of infection and is frequently life-threatening, and blood culture to detect circulating microorganisms has been the diagnostic standard.
Blood culture is a Important a Blood culture is a Important a Diagnostic tool in Infectious Diagnostic tool in Infectious
diseasesdiseases Blood culture is a microbiological Blood culture is a microbiological
culture of blood. It is employed to culture of blood. It is employed to detect infections that are detect infections that are spreading through the spreading through the bloodstream bloodstream (such as bacteraemia, septicaemia amongst others).(such as bacteraemia, septicaemia amongst others).
This is possible because the This is possible because the bloodstream is usually a sterile bloodstream is usually a sterile environment.environment.
What are We doing Now is What are We doing Now is not optimal – not optimal – Needs Rapid Needs Rapid
MethodsMethodsMost microbiological culture procedures Most microbiological culture procedures
require the use of solid media, like blood require the use of solid media, like blood agar and MacConkey agar plates that agar and MacConkey agar plates that need to be visually monitored by trained need to be visually monitored by trained personnel at intervals of 24 hours. These personnel at intervals of 24 hours. These conventional cultures using normal conventional cultures using normal media take at least a minimum of 72 media take at least a minimum of 72 hours to isolate the pathogen and carry hours to isolate the pathogen and carry out susceptibility test to know the out susceptibility test to know the efficacy of antibiotics on simple aerobic efficacy of antibiotics on simple aerobic bacteria bacteria
Optimal Methods of Blood Collection makes difference
The physicians consent with filled in request with details for culturing the Blood
Gloves will be worn in accordance with standard precautions..
Appropriate verification of the patient's identity, by means of an armband or area specific procedure, will occur before the specimen collection.
Cultures should be drawn before administration of antibiotics, if possible.
If at all possible, blood cultures should not be drawn from lines, but should be drawn only via venepuncture
PHLEBOTOMY TRAINING PHLEBOTOMY TRAINING PROGRAMSPROGRAMS
WHO?WHO?
WHAT?WHAT?
WHERE?WHERE?
NEW CATEGORY OF NEW CATEGORY OF LAB PERSONNELLAB PERSONNEL
PhlebotomistPhlebotomistDefined as a person who collects blood for clinical laboratory test or examination Defined as a person who collects blood for clinical laboratory test or examination
purposes purposes
Principles for Collection
Gloves will be worn in accordance with standard precautions.
•A physician’s order must be obtained for specimen collection.
•Appropriate verification of the patient's identity, by means of an armband or area specific procedure, will occur before the specimen collection.
•Cultures should be drawn before administration of antibiotics, if possible.
•If at all possible, blood cultures should note drawn from lines, but should be drawn viavenipuncture.
Materials Chlorhexidine swabs (1-2 packages) Alcohol swabs Blood culture bottles (2 bottles per set) 2 syringes (adult: 20 cc, paediatric: 5 cc) 2 needles (adult: 22 gauge or preferably larger
butterfly or standard needle; pediatric: 25 or 23 gauge butterfly or standard needle)
Gloves (sterile &nonsterile) Tourniquet Sterile gauze pad Adhesive strip or tape Self-sticking patient labels Plastic zip lock specimen bags
Steps 1 – 3, Check, Explain, Wash
1.Identify the patient by checking the arm band or area-specific procedure.
2.Explain the procedure to the patient.
3.Wash hands with soap and water with friction for 15 seconds or use alcohol based hand rub
Step 4 –Prep Cap
Prep the rubber cap of the blood culture bottles with an alcohol pad in a circular motion. Allow the alcohol to dry.
Step 5 -Prep the Puncture Site
Prep the puncture site with Chlorhexidine:– •Using aseptic technique, remove the applicator
from its package.– •Holding the applicator downward, gently
squeeze the wings to release the solution.– •Scrub with a back & forth motion using friction
for 30 seconds on dry skin or 2 minutes on wet skin.
•Do not wipe the site after cleansing the skin with Chlorhexidine.
Step 6 -Gloves
Apply gloves: If palpation of site prior to puncture is anticipated, wear
sterile gloves. If palpation of site prior
to puncture is not anticipated, wear nonsterile gloves.
Step 8 -Mix
Gently rotate the bottles to mix the blood & the broth (do not shake vigorously).
Step 9 and 10 (Label) and 10 (Label)
Place the patient label on each bottle & label each culture bottle with the site of specimen collection. When applying patient identification labels, do not cover the bar code label on the blood culture bottles. Attach the laboratory requisition.
Send the blood cultures to the Clinical Microbiology receiving area as soon as possible.
Step 11Step 11
11.Document the following in the medical record Date & time specimen obtained
–Site of specimen collection If 2 sets of blood cultures have been
ordered, obtain the second set in the same manner as the first, making a new venepuncture at a different site
Techniques of Paediatric Techniques of Paediatric CollectionsCollections
Tourniquet ApplicationTourniquet Application Need to maximize chances of successful Need to maximize chances of successful
collectioncollection Remember that the vein is still developing Remember that the vein is still developing
and might need to rely on firm tightnessand might need to rely on firm tightness Ideally, tourniquet should not be kept on Ideally, tourniquet should not be kept on
for more than one minutefor more than one minute If possible, apply heat If possible, apply heat If using a hand, consider a bucket of warm If using a hand, consider a bucket of warm
water water
Techniques of Paediatric Techniques of Paediatric CollectionsCollections
Insertion PrinciplesInsertion Principles Cantilevering of elbowCantilevering of elbow The option factor: The option factor: -Choose your options of direction -Choose your options of direction before before
insertion insertion -Minimize the odds of unnecessary “digging”-Minimize the odds of unnecessary “digging” Avoid plunging the needle right up to the Avoid plunging the needle right up to the
hilthilt Often, a drawback does the trickOften, a drawback does the trick If vacutainer is slowing down, replace with a If vacutainer is slowing down, replace with a
syringesyringe
Self Self ProtectionProtection
A few ways to make sure your role in the collection process is carried out with efficiency, orderliness and
safety
The Contaminated Blood Culture
If the skin is not adequately cleansed before drawing blood for culture, bacteria on the skin will be injected into the bottle, producing a false positive blood culture.
It is sometimes difficult for the physician to determine whether the bacteria growing in the blood culture is a real pathogen causing bloodstream infection or whether bacteria on the skin have contaminated the culture. This can lead to excess use of antibiotics and prolongation of hospital stay.
Sample Labeling Sample Labeling EfficienciesEfficiencies
Bar coding at the Bar coding at the point-of-phlebotomypoint-of-phlebotomy
2D vs. 1D bar codes2D vs. 1D bar codes– Reduce the number Reduce the number
of computer of computer interfacesinterfaces
– Self directing Self directing specimensspecimens
B-D id
Technological Improvements for Technological Improvements for All Steps in the Diagnostic All Steps in the Diagnostic
ProcessProcessJust in Time Supplies
Reporting
Analysis
Transportation
Accessioning
BiorepositoryRecording
Process Control
Pre-analyticalAnalytical and Automation
AutomatedPhlebotomyTrays
RFID
Mobile Robot
Storage
2D-Codes
Instruments Designed for Automation
EMR
What is a Blood Culture?
A blood culture is a laboratory test in which blood is injected into bottles with culture media to determine whether microorganisms have invaded the patient’s bloodstream.
Blood & Body Fluid CulturesBlood & Body Fluid Cultures Blood cultured by the BacT/Alert 3D leads to early Blood cultured by the BacT/Alert 3D leads to early
detection of pathogens (>89 per cent within 24 detection of pathogens (>89 per cent within 24 hours and 97 per cent within 48 hours) especially hours and 97 per cent within 48 hours) especially in cases of septicaemia, enteric fevers, bacterial in cases of septicaemia, enteric fevers, bacterial endocarditis and other pyrexias of bacterial origin. endocarditis and other pyrexias of bacterial origin.
Activated charcoal neutralises antimicrobials and Activated charcoal neutralises antimicrobials and toxins enhancing early recovery of pathogens. toxins enhancing early recovery of pathogens. Positives are detected faster than Bactec even at Positives are detected faster than Bactec even at low concentrations in blood and body fluids like low concentrations in blood and body fluids like CSF, CT guided aspirates etc. CSF, CT guided aspirates etc.
Delayed transport does not compromise results. Delayed transport does not compromise results. The instrument is capable of recovering The instrument is capable of recovering
significantly more organisms that resin. significantly more organisms that resin.
BacT/AlerT 3D culture BacT/AlerT 3D culture systemsystem
BacT/AlerT 3D culture system. This is BacT/AlerT 3D culture system. This is the first automated non-radiometric the first automated non-radiometric and non-invasive culture system that and non-invasive culture system that continuously monitors system for continuously monitors system for culture of culture of bacteria (both aerobic and bacteria (both aerobic and anaerobic), fungi and mycobacteriaanaerobic), fungi and mycobacteria. . All these bacteria can be cultured All these bacteria can be cultured using different media as prescribed.. using different media as prescribed..
Principles in Principles in BacT/AlerT 3DBacT/AlerT 3D cultureculture systemsystem
This is a closed system and works on This is a closed system and works on the colorimetric principle of detection the colorimetric principle of detection of CO2 produced by the organisms. of CO2 produced by the organisms. The CO2 causes a lowering of the pH The CO2 causes a lowering of the pH of the medium, which in turn of the medium, which in turn produces a colour change in a sensor produces a colour change in a sensor attached to the CO2-sensitive base attached to the CO2-sensitive base of each bottle. of each bottle.
You are guided by You are guided by Computerized SystemsComputerized Systems
The instrument reacts before this The instrument reacts before this colour change is apparent by means colour change is apparent by means of an audible or visible alert flagged of an audible or visible alert flagged by the computer. The bottles are by the computer. The bottles are constantly agitated and are read at constantly agitated and are read at 10-minute intervals. The readings are 10-minute intervals. The readings are transmitted to a computer compiler, transmitted to a computer compiler, which computes results. This which computes results. This
bioMérieux BacT/ALERT® 3DbioMérieux BacT/ALERT® 3D
The bioMérieux BacT/ALERT® 3D The bioMérieux BacT/ALERT® 3D provides an optimal environment for provides an optimal environment for the recovery of a wide range of the recovery of a wide range of pathological organisms, including pathological organisms, including bacteria, yeasts and mycobacteria; bacteria, yeasts and mycobacteria; utilizing proprietary plastic culture utilizing proprietary plastic culture bottles ensuring added safety to the bottles ensuring added safety to the user. user.
Principles of functioning of BacT Principles of functioning of BacT alert Monitorsalert Monitors
Microorganisms multiply Microorganisms multiply in the media, generating in the media, generating CO2. As CO2 increases, CO2. As CO2 increases, the sensor in the bottle the sensor in the bottle turns a lighter colour. turns a lighter colour.
Measuring reflected light, Measuring reflected light, the BacT/ALERT 3D the BacT/ALERT 3D monitors and detects monitors and detects color changes in the color changes in the sensor. sensor.
Algorithms analyze the data to Algorithms analyze the data to determine positivity, and the determine positivity, and the laboratory is notified laboratory is notified immediately with visual and immediately with visual and audible alarmsaudible alarms..
Automation becomes more Automation becomes more complexcomplex
Automation becomes need of the Automation becomes need of the HourHour
Full microbiology laboratory automation Full microbiology laboratory automation needs have never been so apparent, needs have never been so apparent, with financial constraints and increasing with financial constraints and increasing testing volumes at the same time that testing volumes at the same time that labour is becoming both harder to find labour is becoming both harder to find and more expensive. Implementation of and more expensive. Implementation of full microbiology lab automation is one full microbiology lab automation is one solution, as fewer technologists are solution, as fewer technologists are required to process automated tests.. required to process automated tests..
Automation improves Automation improves quality of servicesquality of services
Overall, laboratories Overall, laboratories transitioning from transitioning from conventional to conventional to automated automated processes find that processes find that technologists and technologists and microbiologists are microbiologists are more open to more open to innovation and innovation and improved quality. improved quality.
Industry flourishes too..Industry flourishes too.. An entire industry of An entire industry of
microbial diagnostic microbial diagnostic kits flourished to the kits flourished to the present day. Next in present day. Next in the 70s the the 70s the development was in development was in immunological test kits immunological test kits and instruments to and instruments to monitor the presence of monitor the presence of food borne pathogens food borne pathogens and biomass and to and biomass and to predict microbial predict microbial growth automatically. growth automatically.
Advantages of Advantages of automationautomation
Automated solutions have recently Automated solutions have recently emerged in the marketplace that emerged in the marketplace that address key areas of the microbiology address key areas of the microbiology lab. Automating these processes-lab. Automating these processes-simple, standard, or complex-can simple, standard, or complex-can revolutionize the microbiology lab revolutionize the microbiology lab with more efficient, standardized with more efficient, standardized practices that will improve quality, practices that will improve quality, safety, and cost-efficiency. safety, and cost-efficiency.
Automation increases efficacy Automation increases efficacy and eliminates individual and eliminates individual
variationsvariationsFor example, automating small, yet For example, automating small, yet
vitally important tasks, can make a vitally important tasks, can make a huge impact on the efficiency and huge impact on the efficiency and accuracy of laboratories. Lab accuracy of laboratories. Lab technicians streak an estimated technicians streak an estimated ?????? agar plates a day, a process that is agar plates a day, a process that is laborious, tedious, and inconsistent. laborious, tedious, and inconsistent. Each lab technician has his own Each lab technician has his own streaking technique streaking technique
Automation is Automation is AdvantageousAdvantageous
Include the elimination of subjective Include the elimination of subjective variability,variability,
Savings in media and reagents, and Savings in media and reagents, and the earlier production of useful the earlier production of useful information in many instances, all of information in many instances, all of winch can make a substantial winch can make a substantial contribution to productivity and the contribution to productivity and the control of runaway cost escalation.control of runaway cost escalation.
Automation combined with Automation combined with Laboratory Information Laboratory Information
managementmanagementThe combined use of laboratory The combined use of laboratory
automation and laboratory automation and laboratory information management information management software (LIMS) has been shown software (LIMS) has been shown to increase productivity, reduce to increase productivity, reduce human error and improve human error and improve tracking and traceability in a tracking and traceability in a microbiology labmicrobiology lab
Workflow ManagementWorkflow Management
DATADATA AccessioningAccessioning Specimen trackingSpecimen tracking Data logging and reportingData logging and reporting Quality control Quality control
documentationdocumentation
PROCESS MANAGEMENTPROCESS MANAGEMENT Sample quality Sample quality
assessmentassessment Optimal routing and Optimal routing and
schedulingscheduling Intelligent reportingIntelligent reporting
Automation
Data
Information
Bar coding, robotics and Bar coding, robotics and computerscomputers
Bar coding, robotics and computers that Bar coding, robotics and computers that replace manual transcription significantly replace manual transcription significantly reduce data loss and errors. Automation also reduce data loss and errors. Automation also makes it less likely that plate information and makes it less likely that plate information and patient identification will be duplicated or patient identification will be duplicated or transposed.transposed.Three trends will drive laboratory automation’s Three trends will drive laboratory automation’s future: smaller, more-flexible analysers and future: smaller, more-flexible analysers and automation based on next-generation automation based on next-generation technology, including micro fluidics, easy-to-technology, including micro fluidics, easy-to-use, powerful software for centralised lab use, powerful software for centralised lab management, and internet-based real-time management, and internet-based real-time service for better up-time. service for better up-time.
Bar coding replacing the Bar coding replacing the Manual reading – Reduces Manual reading – Reduces
errorserrorsThe key to this real-time automation The key to this real-time automation
was real time barcode labelling of all was real time barcode labelling of all sample carriers (such as bags, tubes, sample carriers (such as bags, tubes, dishes, bottles) provided by Kiestra's dishes, bottles) provided by Kiestra's Barcode system. This was used in Barcode system. This was used in conjunction with Auto scribe's Matrix conjunction with Auto scribe's Matrix LIMS. Real time barcode reading is LIMS. Real time barcode reading is known to reduce transcription error known to reduce transcription error rates to only 1 in 36 trillion characters - rates to only 1 in 36 trillion characters - compared to 1 in 300 characters with compared to 1 in 300 characters with manual reading. manual reading.
Kiestra's BarcodAKiestra's BarcodA Kiestra's BarcodA Kiestra's BarcodA
automatically automatically places an optical places an optical barcode on all barcode on all tubes, bottles and tubes, bottles and petri-dishes that petri-dishes that contains important contains important information such information such as composition, as composition, sell-by date etc. sell-by date etc.
Bar-coding helps in tracing Bar-coding helps in tracing the errorsthe errors
The barcode makes The barcode makes every sample every sample carrier unique and carrier unique and recorded meaning recorded meaning full traceability for full traceability for the laboratory. the laboratory. Samples are also Samples are also provided with a provided with a barcode which is barcode which is generated by Matrix generated by Matrix LIMS. LIMS.
Quality replacing QuantitityQuality replacing Quantitity
QualityQuality issues are becom issues are becomining g inincreascreasiningly gly important important inin diagnostic laboratories. The diagnostic laboratories. The fact of fact of qualityquality is no longer sufficient and is no longer sufficient and we must now develop mechanisms to we must now develop mechanisms to assure consumers, the public and, most assure consumers, the public and, most importantly, ourselves of the contimportantly, ourselves of the contininuuining g qualityquality of our service. Mov of our service. Movining towards a g towards a qualityquality-assured system is not easy, -assured system is not easy, requirrequirining a meticulous attention to detail g a meticulous attention to detail inin all areas of a laboratory's workall areas of a laboratory's workining and g and organization. organization.
Automation gained the Automation gained the Universal acceptanceUniversal acceptance
A further plus for lab automation is A further plus for lab automation is that it promotes consistency and that it promotes consistency and quality. Without automation, lab quality. Without automation, lab tasks that are necessarily repetitive tasks that are necessarily repetitive can lead to inconsistent or can lead to inconsistent or inappropriate ways of work and, from inappropriate ways of work and, from there, to improper treatment, longer there, to improper treatment, longer patient stays, medication errors and patient stays, medication errors and unwanted drug side-effects. unwanted drug side-effects.
Created by Dr.T.V.Rao Created by Dr.T.V.Rao MD for “e” learning MD for “e” learning
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