Siemens Shows Labs How to “Test Smarter. Run Faster.” at AACC 2013

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is showcasing its latest innovations that unite clinical and workflow excellence to help laboratories “Test smarter. Run faster.” at the 2013 AACC and ASCLS Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo in Houston, July 28 – August 1 (Booth #3449).

This year’s exhibit visually recreates the various clinical environments in which Siemens proven solutions can be found, including the central, microbiology, and molecular lab, emergency department, intensive care unit (ICU) and physician’s office/clinic.

“Whether conducted in a lab, a doctor’s office or even at a patient’s bedside, clinical diagnostic testing will continue to increase in importance for optimizing patient care, especially in light of increasing pressure on healthcare systems” said Michael Reitermann, CEO, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. “At this year’s AACC, Siemens is proud to demonstrate how we are leveraging our scientific, technological and business acumen to meet our customers’ needs from a workflow and clinical perspective.”

Central Laboratory Solutions

Siemens’ AACC 2013 presence once again highlights the company’s pioneering advances in central laboratory automation, including the unveiling of the VersaCell® X3 Solution1, a unique sample management solution for low and medium volume labs that increases flexibility and advances workflow capabilities for up to three connected Siemens analyzers. Using advanced robotics with dynamic STAT management for the optimal mix of chemistry and/or immunoassay analytics along with one-touch sample management, the VersaCell X3 Solution enables labs to streamline a non-automated environment without the resource requirements of track-based automation. For the higher volume market, the Siemens Aptio™ Automation1 unified solution helps address the changing workload and expanding needs of today’s growing clinical laboratory, while delivering innovation for better patient care.

Leadership in the central lab innovation extends to Siemens’ IT platforms, including the CentraLink™ Data Management System1, which displays clinical data and manages workflow across multiple disciplines and platforms, including the VersaCell X3 Solution and Aptio Automation. Attendees are also learning how the new syngo Lab Inventory Manager2 leverages cloud-based technology to streamline and automate the inventory management process. Additionally, information is available about how Siemens Remote Service for Diagnostics provides proactive customer support by optimizing system performance to enhance lab efficiency.

Multiple Siemens central lab instruments and assays are also highlighted including the compact, fully automated Sysmex® CA-660 System1,3 for hemostasis testing, along with the random access high-volume Sysmex® CS-5100 System1,3,4 coagulation analyzer, which enables first-run accuracy by identifying and managing unsuitable test specimens prior to analysis. Visitors are also getting a closer look at the CellaVision® DM96 Digital Morphology System1,5, used for automated blood cell microscopy analysis, and accessing the company’s robust test menu via touch screens. Featured assays include the IMMULITE® 2000 Systems Anti-CCP IgG assay1 for rheumatoid arthritis, ADVIA® Centaur Vitamin D Total assay1,6 and Dimension Vista® LOCI® Vitamin B12 assay1.

Emergency Room and ICU Solutions

Nearby in the Emergency Department/ICU, Siemens spotlights several of its latest near-patient critical care testing solutions, including the RAPIDLab® 348EX Blood Gas System1,4, a cost-effective blood gas analyzer for smaller labs that generates reliable results in approximately 60 seconds with a minimum of operator interaction. Steps away is the Stratus® CS Analyzer1, which delivers quantitative cardiac assays for fast patient evaluation, along with the RAPIDPoint® 500 Blood Gas System1 with the newly available pleural fluid pH test1.


Physician’s Office and Clinic Solutions

Siemens’ broad point-of-care portfolio continues into the Physician’s Office/Clinic area, where attendees are previewing the latest in advanced urinalysis testing, including the recently improved CLINITEK Status® Connect System1 that features enhanced barcoding capabilities as well as an adaptor for seamless wireless connectivity. Also on display is the DCA Vantage® Analyzer1, which helps clinicians to monitor diabetes patients' glycemic control status and early kidney disease detection.

The RAPIDComm® Data Management System1 is also showcased. Allowing for effective management of point-of-care programs across multiple settings, including the emergency room and doctor’s office, the latest version7 will be accessible via mobile devices. It will also seamlessly integrate to the Siemens Personalized Education Plan (PEP)8.


Microbiology and Molecular Laboratory Solutions

Anchoring the in-booth Microbiology and Molecular area is the Siemens Microbiology Lab Automation Solution, which reflects the company’s experience and excellence in microbiology and automation with industry leader knowledge in preanalytical specimen processing and rapid microbial identification.

The booth area also features the VERSANT® Tissue Preparation Reagents Kit1, part of the Siemens Tissue Preparation Solution1—the only fully automated and standardized solution for extracting nucleic acids from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and fresh frozen tissue samples.

1. Product availability varies by country
2. Under development. Not available for sale in the U.S. Future availability cannot be guaran-teed. syngo is a registered trademark of Siemens AG
3. Sysmex is a trademark of the Sysmex Corporation
4. Not available for sale in the U.S.
5. CellaVision is a trademark of CellaVision A B
6. Under development on the ADVIA Centaur CP System
7. Under development. Not available for sale. Future availability cannot be guaranteed
8. Patent pending