QA
Q. Can you give us a brief overview of the services provided by the laboratory at SKMC? A. SKMC offers a full range of clinical laboratory services, including anatomical pathology, clinical chemistry, haematology, HLA typing, microbiology, molecular biology, serology and transfusion medicine. We have a comprehensive test menu, including both routine and high complexity tests. In addition we also run the blood donation service for Abu Dhabi Island and the surrounding area.
Q. What are the benefits of the new fully automated system over manual systems in terms of efficiency and quality of results? A. The automated system eliminates almost all ‘hands on’ specimen handling for routine tests. It improves turnaround times and ensures that specimens are processed in an efficient and consistent manner. Consolidation of testing onto a common platform reduces the number of specimens that need to be drawn and simplifies the workflow within the laboratory. All functions of the automated system are controlled by a software package, which allows the technical staff to constantly monitor the system and
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www.lifesciencesmagazines.com
with Laila Abdel Wareth, Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute is the first diagnostic laboratory in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to be accredited by the College of American Pathologists in 2011 for all services that it provides. It delivers diagnostic laboratory services for the patients of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With its team of skilled personnel and state of the art equipment and technology, the institute strives to continually improve its processes to bench mark with international standards and best practices, thus ensuring satisfaction and service excellence at all times.
ensure that all the results generated are of the highest quality.
The automated system is tightly integrated into the laboratory information system to improve the entire patient testing cycle. The physician orders results in the automatic printing of barcode labels; the barcoded specimens are then robotically sorted and logged into the laboratory. Centrifugation, cap removal, aliquoting, specimen transport, analysis and storage are all automated – even the process of ultimately discarding the specimen is automated. Normal results are automatically released and abnormal results are released after review. Once released, results flow directly into the patient’s electronic medical record.
Q. Can you tell us a bit more about how this new system impacts on infection control in the laboratory? A. Most specimens do not need to be touched by a human after they are loaded onto the system. Consequently the risk of a staff member being infected from a specimen is significantly reduced.
Q. What are the cost implications for facilities choosing automation? Does it impact on the entire laboratory workflow, for example? A. Automation is costly to implement, but for high volume laboratories it is cost effective due to the gains in efficiency. If implemented efficiently it can result in significant improvements to the workflow. Many simple or repetitive tasks are performed by machines, leaving the technical staff free to focus on quality and high complexity testing.
Q. What would be your advice to other laboratories considering automation? A. Ultimately the success or failure of any laboratory automation project depends on the staff using the system. For this reason it is vital that they are involved in the planning, selection, design and implementation. These are complex systems and high grade technical staff are needed to run them. Also good IT support is essential as is good technical and engineering support from the vendor. ■
AH
All images © SKMC
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