The document discusses options for automating the pre-analytical and post-analytical processes in a joint blood sciences laboratory reception handling 3000 hematology and biochemistry samples per day. Option 4 of automating pre-analytical and post-analytical processes like centrifugation, decapping, aliquoting, and archiving is favored to reduce errors, increase patient safety, and improve throughput. A SWOT analysis is presented of different automation systems available in the UK, with the Beckman Coulter Automate highlighted for its compatibility. The presentation concludes that the best choice would be determined through a tender process while considering the available budget.

1. Laboratory Reception
An options appraisal
Charlie Houston
charles.houston@nhs.net 1

2. Current Situation
• Joint blood sciences laboratory reception
• No automation
• 3000 Haematology/Biochemistry samples /day
• Floor space 90m2
• May have up to 12 staff members working in it
• Currently occupied with data entry terminals
centrifuges and bench space
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3. OPTIONS
1. Continue as we are – status quo
2. Refer excess work to another site
3. Total laboratory automation
4. Automate pre/post analytical
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4. OPTION 1
Not an option as graphs above shows
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5. OPTION 2
Refer excess work to another site
•2 other labs in division
•Could take in GP work geographically close to
them
•These labs are already overstretched and cannot
meet their own expected increase in demand
Not an option for above reasons
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6. OPTION 3
Total laboratory automation
Not a current option due to having recently
agreed contracts for stand alone –
Immunoassay analyzers
Biochemistry analyzers
Haematology analyzers
Which do not run out for 5 years – tied into these
by reagent rental deals
Not an option for above reasons
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7. Option 4
Automate pre & post analytical
•Centrifugation
•Decapping
•Alliquoter
•Allocation to suitable analysis area
•Re-capping
•Archiving
Favoured Option 7

8. SWOT analysis
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
• Reduction of error due to less human interaction • Staff reluctant to change working practices
• Increase patient safety • Samples still have to be transported from main
reception area to analysers
• Able to cope with increasing service demand
• Maintenance, service contracts,
• Reduction off revenue spend
troubleshooting, training etc.
• Decreased turnaround times
• Has ongoing revenue cost -consumables
• Best use of current equipment
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
• Increasing skill mix • Staff may feel threatened by potential job loss
• Improved job satisfaction • Change management has to be effective for the
process to work
• Utilisation of staff at correct AfC banding
• Cross fertilization of ideas between departments
• Easier to implement “lean” laboratory
processes.
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9. Automate pre & post analytical
UK Distributer Pre /Post analytical system
Abbott Gensis FE500
Abbott ACCELERATOR Automatic
Processing System (APS)
Siemens ADVIA LabCell and ADVIA
WorkCell VersaCell™ StreamLAB
Beckman Coulter Automate
Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics enGen™
Roche Diagnostics Modular Pre-analytics (MPA)
Sarstedt Ltd PVS Sample Distribution System
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10. Automate pre & post analytical
SWOT analysis of pre/post analytical systems available in the United Kingdom
Pre /Post analytical Strengths Weakness Opportunities Threats
system
•Gensis FE500 Compatible with current • No recapper • Chance to have some • Requires manual
analysers and interface • Maximum capacity automation at a capping
(AMS) only 80 tubes lower capital cost • Limited capacity may
not cope with
predicated workload
increase
•ACCELERATOR Compatible with current • Large footprint • Foil recapper very • Would require major
Automatic Processing analysers and interface • More suited to track robust can be used expenditure by
(AMS) system (TLA) for send aways estates on
System (APS)
Good sample throughput • Built in storage reconfiguration of
laboratory
•ADVIA LabCell and Good all round laboratory • Not Compatible with • Only to be • Large capital Outlay
ADVIA WorkCell analysers system current analysers and considered if for new analysers
interface (AMS) replacing analysers
VersaCell™ StreamLAB
• No aliquotter
•Automate Compatible with current • Requires interfacing • Possibility of • Reliance on
analysers • Expensive conductive integrating other expensive
Very good sample aliquot tips blood sciences consumables
throughput • Centrifuge not • Able to
Maximum functionality available centrifugation off
into smallest footprint line
• Full specimen audit
trail 10

11. Automate pre & post analytical
SWOT analysis of pre/post analytical systems available in the United Kingdom cont
Pre /Post analytical Strengths Weakness Opportunities Threats
system
enGen™ Compatible with current • Requires interfacing • Possibility of • Would require major
analysers • More suited to track integrating other expenditure by
system (TLA) blood sciences estates on
• Able to add reconfiguration of
centrifuge laboratory
Modular Pre-analytics Compatible with current • Requires interfacing • Possibility of • Would require major
analysers • Only compatible with integrating other expenditure by
(MPA)
a limited range of blood sciences estates on
• Able to add
tube sizes reconfiguration of
centrifuge
• Only compatible with laboratory
one type of cap for
decapper
• More suited to track
system (TLA)
PVS Sample Compatible with current • Requires interfacing • Possibility of • Only works with
analysers • Centrifuge not integrating other Sarstedt tubes
Distribution System
available blood sciences • Would require
• Able to changing our blood
centrifugation off collection system
line
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12. Automate pre & post analytical
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13. Automate pre & post analytical
Beckman Coulter Automate
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14. FINAL CHOICE CONCLUSION
Down to finance
recommend tender
process
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15. Laboratory Reception
Thank you for listening
Any questions
Charlie Houston
charles.houston@nhs.net 15

16. Automate in Action
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