IMPAC Releases PowerPatch Advanced Materials Processing Module

IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc. (IMPAC), an Elekta company and leading provider of information technology (IT) solutions for anatomic pathology and oncology care, introduces the PowerPath® Advanced Materials Processing (AMP) module. AMP enhances patient safety with expanded use of barcode technology to track case materials from accessioning to sign-out. AMP provides laboratories with significant opportunities to improve workflow efficiency, accountability and responsiveness, potentially resulting in revenue increases and cost savings.

Mismanagement of case materials can result in critical errors. AMP adds a new dimension to patient safety by maintaining strong identifying links between all case materials and the case details in PowerPath. AMP workflow ensures that the correct number of slides is generated from the block and the correct labels are printed.

“We simply scan the PowerPath specimen barcode at the cassette labeler,” states Lyman Garniss, corporate manager and current leader, IS lab group for Partners Healthcare Systems (PHS), Boston, MA. “The system downloads the information required for the cassette labeler and the correct number, type and color of cassettes are produced with barcodes. Utilizing this technology, PHS demonstrates the highest level of accuracy possible. We can easily see the progress status of cassettes and slides, and case progression time has improved. Best of all, our staff (at all levels) are very happy with the performance of the module.”

“IMPAC is pleased to introduce the AMP module, which is currently in use at PHS’ Massachusetts General Hospital,” states George Rugg, Vice President and General Manager of IMPAC Medical Systems, Inc.’s LIS Business Unit. “AMP’s barcode technology, which resembles the package tracking model of major package shippers, provides accurate communication and efficient workflow in the laboratory.”

Demonstrations and full details about PowerPath version 9 and Advanced Materials Processing will be available at the CLMA ThinkLab ’07 Conference & Exhibition in Houston, TX, Booth # 139, March 25-27, and the United States & Canadian Academy of Pathologists (USCAP) in San Diego, CA, Booth # 844, from March 26-28, 2007.