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DPC
is pleased to announce that the Immunoassay (IA) Workcell was released
in early June, following international and domestic beta testing. The
results of this testing were very impressive, demonstrating up to a 65
percent reduction in labor along with high productivity and sample-processing
capacity per hour—a real answer for a hospital's lean initiatives.*
What
is the IA Workcell?
The IA Workcell combines two DPC immunoassay instruments into a single
system by linking them together via a DPC SMS (Sample Management System):
either two IMMULITE® 2000 instruments, two IMMULITE®
2500 instruments or one of each. As the "powerhouse" in the family of
IMMULITE® instruments, the IA Workcell is designed to meet
the needs of high-volume testing facilities by merging flexibility
with productivity: it processes up to 400 tests per hour and provides
access to 48 different assays.
How
does it work?
The SMS, featuring a "pick and place" robotic arm, provides a single point
of entry for samples, transporting tubes from the SMS to the instruments
for processing, then back to the SMS. Four drawers contain removable sample
rack carriers; each carrier holds five racks of up to 10 samples, for
a 200-sample capacity. In addition, rack carriers and racks may be removed
and replaced at any time without interfering with sample processing. A
touch-screen monitor allows the operator to interface with the entire
system via a single workstation, further simplifying the management of
patient results, QC and reagent consumption, while reducing operator steps.
Minimizes
sample handling
The SMS plays a critical role as a preanalytical sorter: sample-sorting
tasks can be eliminated as the SMS accommodates alternative clinical chemistry
racks in its rack carriers, discretely transporting tubes to and from
both systems. It simplifies sample handling by removing the need for accurate
alignment of the tubes in the racks by the operator for barcode reading;
instead, automatically rotates each tube 360ยบ past the reader after selection.
There is no need for operators to find samples for reflex testing or autodilutions:
the SMS receives requests for such tests from the IMMULITE 2000 or IMMULITE
2500 and/or LIS and returns the tube to the analyzer for processing.
Optimal
resource management
Acting as the "brains" of the system, the SMS knows exactly how to load
the two instruments at every moment to maximize the productivity of all
available resources, treating each sample on an individual, tube-by-tube
basis instead of by the conventional rack loading method. In contrast
to other integrated systems employing rack loading, the SMS delivers a
tube to the designated instrument only if a test is required, thus eliminating
wasted resources.
More
assays on board means superior usable walk-away time!
DPC's IA Workcell provides the operator access to 48 different assays
and 9,600 reagent tests. By combining the extensive on-board reagent capacity
with the IMMULITE 2000/2500 low waste output and low generic reagent consumption,
the IA Workcell emerges as a highly efficient immunoassay system capable
of freeing up almost 5 hours of usable walk-away time.
Flexible
automation for uninterrupted processing
The SMS provides the primary sample-loading platform, although each instrument
in the IA Workcell retains the ability to load 75 tubes onto its sample
carousel. This can be done while the system is in operation, without having
to switch into a different mode. And if one of the systems is temporarily
unavailable for operation, assays can still be processed on the other.
No other integrated system allows for this type of "built-in" backup for
high-volume sample loading.
An
extensive menu to meet your clinical needs
Only a system with an extensive menu can help laboratorians organize and
centralize workstations. This is where DPC excels, providing the largest
selection of immunoassay systems along with the largest menu of clinically
significant routine and esoteric assays, including an expanding line of
automated infectious disease assays and more than 375 specific allergens
and allergen panels. DPC is continually developing new systems and assays
to meet the changing needs of disease management. For additional information
on the IA Workcell, please contact your local DPC representative.
*Contact
your local DPC representative for case study data.
| IA
Workcell Features and Benefits |
| Features |
Benefits |
Single
sample-entry point for
two IMMULITE instruments:
Two IMMULITE 2000s,
two IMMULITE 2500s
or one of each |
No
need to sort samples across two platforms |
| "No-pause
"sample loading |
Greater
potential for maximum throughput |
| Intelligent
loading of samples across both platforms |
All available
resources essentially treated as one system
|
| Continuous
access to samples and loading capacity of 200 tubes |
Enhanced
productivity |
| L-shape
or linear configuration |
Flexible
design to allow systems to fit lab space |
| Sample
retrieval for autodilutions, reflex testing and reordered tests |
Minimal
operator time spent searching for samples to retest |
| Single
user interface to manage patient results and monitor all system functions
via the SMS computer |
Ease
of operation |
| Ability
to load STAT samples directly onto SMS |
No
need to sort STAT samples for the individual IMMULITEs |
| LIS
pass-through |
Direct interface
between instruments and LIS through the SMS, eliminating the need
for additional LIS interface
|
| Placement
of QC directly on the SMS |
Reduced operator
time running QC on two systems
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| Independent
operation of Immunoassay Workcell components |
100% flexibility,
allowing use of analyzer(s) with or without the SMS
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| RealTime
Solutions compatible |
Less
unscheduled downtime, allowing DPC's Technical Service to proactively
monitor instruments |
Customer
Testimonials...
"The
Immunoassay Workcell has enabled us to free valuable qualified staff time
to deal with more suitable tasks. It has increased my capacity to an extent
that I need not worry about workload increases for the next few years."
David Ricketts, Lab Manager
North Middlesex University Hospital
London, England
"The
Workcell was a huge time-saver! The decreased interaction time with the
systems allows our technologists more time to attend to other duties.
It's an easy, cost-effective solution that more than handles our laboratory's
testing equirements . . . Thanks, DPC."
Maryann O'Toole, Lab Manager
Cognoscenti Health Institute
Orlando, Florida
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