The Royal Oldham Hospital has become the first laboratory in the UK to implement FlexLab X, a state-of-the-art system, bringing faster turnaround times on test results for patients.
It is only the second installation of this system in the world.
The laboratory automation system from Inpeco and Siemens Healthineers, supports biochemistry, serology, haematology, and coagulation services across the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust’s network, which includes The Royal Oldham Hospital and pathology services at Wrightington, Wigan, and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust.
FlexLab X laboratory automation solution has also recently been implemented at Salford Royal Hospital.
The system increases the capacity of the laboratories, meaning the team can process and report a greater volume of tests at faster speeds, leading to quicker diagnosis and treatment for patients waiting for test results.
This new laboratory automation system includes a state-of-the-art tracked system which, once loaded by staff, transports blood samples across the laboratory, loading the blood tubes onto the analysers for testing. This system processes up to 15,525 tubes every hour and over 370,000 samples per day.
The system is designed to enable laboratory staff to prioritise urgent samples without interrupting the high volumes being processed across the system.
Delia Gallagher, biochemistry technical manager, said: “We know how anxious patients can feel waiting for test results, so having a quicker turnaround time means we can ensure they receive diagnosis as soon as possible so they can get the treatment they need.
“It has been positively received by colleagues working across the lab and allows us to prioritise and process urgent test results from our A&E departments within an hour of being received, which could potentially be lifesaving.”
Oldham and Salford are hub laboratories and process most samples from within hospital wards, emergency departments, along with samples from GP practices.
Andrew Evans, divisional managing director for pathology for the NCA and Wigan, Wrightington and Leigh (WWL) NHS Foundation Trust, said: “FlexLab X is a revolutionary new automated track system that will transform the way our laboratories are able to process patient samples; speeding up the time it takes to get results back to clinicians so they can diagnose and treat our patients as fast as possible.
“The NCA continues to explore and invest in the very latest in technology to ensure our services remain fit for the future and provide the very best patient care. Following the launch at Salford this has enabled even more patients to benefit from this innovative laboratory system.”
Stewart Hutton, zone business lead for Laboratory Solutions at Siemens Healthineers Northwest Europe, said: “We are thrilled to announce the first installation of FlexLab X in the UK market, a significant milestone in taking laboratory efficiency and patient care transformation to the next level across the country. This next-generation automation solution will enable seamless integration, best-in-class diagnostics, and improved patient pathways with a minimum footprint, supporting Northern Care Alliance in its mission to deliver world-class healthcare.”