URINALYSIS
Automating routine urinalysis workflows reduces sample subjectivity and variability, helping laboratories of all sizes standardise processes, drive faster turnaround times, and deliver high- quality results
The new DxU Iris urinalysis solution uses sophisticated software to auto-classify 12 elements that are analysed through four specific features: size, shape, contrast, and texture.
How did this switch to automation go during the installation? HM: It’s a compact instrument for which we provided a simple bench 50cm deep and 1m wide, so there was little impact on space in the facility. The following week, technicians were trained in its use by adjusting our schedule. This training was needed to understand this new way of sorting the cells and reclassifying them but with no need for retraining in the future.
How has the new analyser changed your view of automation instruments like this? SL: We initially chose to install our previous IQ solution in our facility. This instrument was used at Montauban when I was an intern; the team was very satisfied with it. But we chose the new DxU solution, and one month after installation, everything is going well. The manual rework rate is below 3%, and the touchscreen with the display of the cells is appreciated. We are very satisfied with our relationship with Beckman Coulter.
Please describe the new machine’s maintenance, quality control, and calibration. SL: Cleaning and daily quality control are done every morning when the haematology technician’s shift begins. This requires a single rack, which takes less than two minutes, and the checks are always good. Calibration is done once a month. There is no maintenance other than changing a filter.
And for the future, how are you planning to go further with this analyser? SL: In terms of volume of activity, in the future, we would easily be able to absorb up to 10 times more volume. In particular, we have a hospital rebuilding project scheduled to be completed in
2028 – we anticipate it will be a very active clinical hospital.
Automated urinalysis The routine urinalysis test is one of the most ordered tests by physicians, representing up to 30% of all samples received. Laboratory stress is further exacerbated with common manual review. Manual inspection interrupts workflow and can take up to six times as long per sample. Automating routine urinalysis workflows reduces sample subjectivity and variability, helping laboratories of all sizes standardise processes, drive faster turnaround times, and deliver high-quality results.
The new DxU Iris urinalysis solution (Beckman Coulter) was developed using proprietary Digital Flow Morphology technology with Auto-Particle Recognition (APR) Software to enable laboratories to deliver standardised results using artificial intelligence. The system auto-classifies 12 elements that are analysed through four specific features: size, shape, contrast, and texture. The benefit of the DxU Iris is the easy identification of urine sediment, accelerating the delivery of accurate patient results.
The automated technology helps minimise operator intervention and interruptions using Edit-Free Release technology (EFR). This streamlines laboratory workflow, provides true walkaway automation, and improves turnaround time by minimising operator interaction with testing results, thereby maximising analyser automation. Improving urinalysis testing efficiency and reducing manpower with iWARE autoverification software also ensures the reliability of test results – a standard feature across DxU Iris instruments. According to studies, the DxU Iris
WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM MAY 2024
system achieves manual review rates of <3%1
by up to 78%.2
and cuts sample processing time Considering that 53%
of laboratory professionals identified staff shortages as having a moderate to significant impact on laboratories, as well as the rising shortages of skilled laboratory staff, the DxU solution helps boost laboratory efficiency, as it reduces manual steps, therefore increasing standardisation of the validation process.
Auch Hospital
Having been operational for 50 years, Auch Hospital provides 487 beds in its main site, located in the city of Auch in Gascony. A pivotal establishment within the department of Gers, the hospital acts as a hub, coordinating medical centres to ensure that every resident has access to the optimal conditions of access and care. Located within the premises of Auch Hospital is its on-site laboratory served by three biologists and 10 technicians, catering to around 500 patients per day across all fields (200 tubes for haematology, 350/400 tubes for chemistry), with an average of 25 patients/ tubes per day for urine analysis.
References 1 Liu X, Chen W, Li X et al. Establishment
and validation of auto verification criteria for urine analysis workstation in a multi-center study [J]. Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 2020, 43(12): 1225-1231. DOI: 10.3760/
cma.j.cn114452-20200427-00433.
2
Healthcare-in-europe.com. Automation to relieve pandemic pressure from laboratories. Beaufort Memorial Urinalysis Workflow Case Study, CS-52048.
Beckman Coulter 01494 441181
infouk@beckman.com
www.beckmancoulter.com/products/ urinalysis/dxu-iris
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