Siemens Unveils New Solutions to Improve Laboratory Workflow at the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Conference

Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics (www.siemens.com/diagnostics ) is showcasing its comprehensive portfolio of performance-driven solutions for the first time at the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Conference in San Diego (July 17 - 19, booth #3411)*. This portfolio is a result of bringing together two strong leaders in the diagnostics industry: former Bayer Healthcare Diagnostics and former DPC.






With these acquisitions, Siemens is transforming the healthcare industry by bringing together medical imaging, information technology and laboratory diagnostics to form the first ever full service diagnostics company. Uniquely positioned to provide medical professionals with the vital information they need to deliver better, more personalized healthcare to patients around the world.






“In today’s healthcare environment, we realize that labs are faced with more challenges than ever - doing more with less while improving overall patient care and physician satisfaction. Our solutions and services are built with these key challenges in mind,” said Tony Bihl, president and CEO, Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics. “Siemens continues to provide labs with the current products of both former organizations and new solutions to improve the efficiencies of the lab and advance the level of patient care.”






Delivering Robust Diagnostic Capabilities






Siemens focuses on the business of diagnostics for laboratorians, clinicians and patients by offering a comprehensive portfolio of performance-driven products and services that combine the right balance of science, technology and practicality. The new entity has a market leading assay menu that will be augmented by growth in key areas such as cardiovascular, oncology, infectious disease and allergy. Siemens will continue to invest in menu expansion across both the IMMULITE(R) and ADVIA(R) immunoassay systems.






At AACC, Siemens will present its full product and solutions portfolio, which is designed to optimize efficiency, improve workflow, ensure patient safety and provide the highest levels of productivity and flexibility. These products include a broad spectrum of immunoassay, chemistry, hematology, molecular, urinalysis, diabetes and blood gas testing systems, along with automation, informatics and consulting solutions that are designed to serve the needs of laboratories of any size - today and tomorrow. In addition, the company will host a series of educational workshops at AACC to provide additional insight and learning for the integrated diagnostics model.






New Consolidated Immunoassay and Clinical Chemistry System






Siemens will showcase a system that merges the strengths of the ADVIA 1800 Clinical Chemistry Analyzer and the Immulite 2500 Immunoassay System onto single testing platform by connecting to a Sample Management System (SMS). With the unique design and flexibility of the SMS, laboratories get consolidation benefits without compromising throughput and get full menu capabilities in a cost-effective and scalable platform.






The technology physically links the immunoassay and clinical chemistry components to offer a single entry point for samples, significantly reducing the need to pre-sort specimens. It also enables continuous loading for 200 samples and can move tubes at a speed of 200 tubes per hour while providing laboratorians access to over 80 chemistry assays and more than 160 immunoassays. SMS software optimizes sample processing in order to maximize throughput and simultaneous sample analysis, which ensures that peak workloads can be handled quickly.






A Virtual Network Connection (VNC) allows operation of the individual analyzers at the central SMS computer, which is connected by a single Lab Information System (LIS) interface for improved efficiency and ease of use.






VERSANT 440 Molecular System






The VERSANT(R) 440 Molecular System has recently been approved for marketing by Health Canada for viral load testing of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV); is CE-marked for HIV, HCV, the hepatitis B virus (HBV); and is filed in the U.S. for FDA review. The enhanced automation of the VERSANT 440 provides laboratories with greater throughput and less hands-on time, maximizing productivity to meet the evolving needs of the clinical laboratory. The system uses branched DNA technology (bDNA) that simplifies testing by eliminating nucleic acid extraction and removing the risk of cross- contamination. The product is a viral load platform designed for flexible walkaway automation and streamlines workflow by integrating bar code data entry, automated reagent processing, and detection, as well as downloadable patient worklist and results through an FDA cleared LIS interface. Nearly 100 systems are placed worldwide.






DCA Vantage Analyzer






The DCA Vantage Analyzer is a point-of-care diabetes patient management platform that tests HbA1c and Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio for diabetes management. In over 100 third-party papers, the market-leading DCA HbA1c tests has been proven to be the most precise and accurate tool in managing patients with diabetes, at the point-of-care, and is considered the gold standard. New and exciting capabilities have been added to the DCA Vantage that make the system more effective in managing patients with diabetes by providing an on-board printed patient record, patient trending graphs, and a powerful database for improved patient management. Powerful features, such as connectivity to LIS, QC reminders, lock-out and remote access, slope and offset to standardize testing that make the system a fit for point-of-care coordinated sites that require compliance and control of decentralized testing.






ADVIA Decapper






The ADVIA(R) Decapper has been developed as a seamlessly integrated on-line feature for existing ADVIA WorkCell and LabCell Automation configurations that easily fits onto the existing track with no additional spacing requirements. The unit handles a variety of sample tube types, including screw caps, rubber stoppers, and Hemoguard stoppers at a speed of 600 tubes/hour. Utilizing a 360 degree twisting motion, the units easily processes multiple tube types with a twist and pull motion. The integrated cap detection system ensures that proper operation is performed for every tube. This module improves worker safety and benefits lab personnel by limiting the need for repetitive motions while reducing the exposure to sample biohazards as it handles pre-spun specimens without interruption.






NOVIUS Lab






NOVIUS(R) Lab is a rules-based LIS that optimizes workflow across multi-entity settings. It provides macro-management of all laboratory workflows and result repository of all laboratory results. NOVIUS Lab interfaces with reference laboratories, point-of-care data managers, instruments, lab automation systems, clinical repositories, and financial systems. With the robust support capabilities of the NOVIUS Lab, information is provided where and when it is needed and delivers a patient focused approach to data management.






BD.id






Right at the patient’s bedside, the wireless, simple-to-use BD.id(TM) Patient Identification System for Specimen Management identifies the healthcare provider, the patient, the specimen container, and the order of draw. The system then prints instrument-readable labels only for specimens actually collected, with both the actual time of collection and the collector’s ID printed on the label. Actual collection date and time sent to the LIS in real-time, enables accurate turn around time calculations and efficient laboratory workflow.






Clinitek Advantus Analyzer






The Clinitek Advantus(TM) analyzer is a highly productive, semi-automatic urine chemistry analyzer that can perform up to 500 tests per hour. The enhanced analyzer is network-ready and delivers improvements such as the ability to consolidate microscopic test results. The system enables automated reading of the Multistix family of urinalysis test strips in medium to high throughput settings and delivers all the reliable functionality and testing flexibility of the Clinitek 500. It offers a broad menu of urine tests that help healthcare professionals deliver quality patient care and aid in the diagnosis of numerous diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease/disorders, urinary tract infections, and liver function.