LABORATORY MANAGEMENT ARTICLES

Building innovative solutions to common laboratory challenges has been Advanced Instruments’ mission since 1955, a time when electronic automation was just beginning to be applied to laboratory methods. Throughout its 70-year history, Advanced Instruments’ osmometers have helped global clinical laboratories revolutionise workflow efficiency on the chemistry bench. Over the last two decades, this mission has expanded to microbiology, haematology, and beyond.

Clinisys WinPath laboratory information system customers recently gathered at The Belfry to discuss the major challenges facing pathology, and the role of technology in addressing them. Here, Matthew Fouracre reports from a packed, but inspiring, two-day event.

Karl McIntyre of Liverpool Clinical Laboratories describes the improvements to pathology process and efficiency which have been delivered by a fully automated molecular work area.

Laboratory sterilisers play a key role in safe ongoing operation of the laboratory and training operators in the safe use of these machines and laboratory managers in managing the processes is more important than ever, says Keith Miller.

Liam Whitby, President of the United Kingdom National External Quality Assessment Service (UK NEQAS) explains the reason why UK NEQAS is a world leader in EQA.

While automation of laboratory tests and procedures can bring great efficiencies and benefits to the laboratory and to overall patient care, effective implementation of an automation project requires detailed planning strategy and evaluation, as Renato Gargiani explains.

The new ISO 15189 standard for medical laboratories was published 12 months ago, and is well into a three-year transition period, with inspections under the new standard set to begin soon. Dr David Ricketts – one of the new standard’s authors – writes for Pathology in Practice on the main changes, and what they mean for the delivery of pathology services.

With increasing demands on healthcare technology, choosing a cloud-based solution over on-premises infrastructure allows enhanced security, seamless accessibility as well as extra flexibility in the future. Olivier Goudon outlines the capabilities of cloud architecture for healthcare processes, while also meeting the considerable challenges of GDPR when handling patient data.

After a long career in the NHS as a Biomedical Scientist, Chloe Ashford-Smith moved to a health consultancy role with professional services firm KPMG. Here she explains how her new position allows her to collaborate with other experienced health professionals, working as a team to support the NHS and ‘speak the same language’ as their clients.

Clinisys’ annual conference at The Belfry saw a record number of national experts, pathologists, and IT leaders gather to discuss how change drives innovation in pathology and innovation drives further change. Matthew Fouracre reports from a busy – and optimistic – two days.

The rapidly growing diagnostics market represents a unique opportunity for laboratory technology vendors. Sally-Anne Whybrow looks at the sales enablement techniques giving vendors a competitive advantage.

The UK is currently in the midst of ongoing changes to the regulation of medical devices and IVDs, with significant potential impact on pathology professionals. This is a complex overhaul with different aspects being introduced over the coming years. The next step in this process has now been communicated and it’s changed things up, explains BIVDA’s Ashleigh Batchen.

In order to cope with the challenges of the future, it is critical to optimise diagnostic services and enable faster and earlier testing. Here, Tracey Sainsbury discusses the key challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for this vital area of healthcare.

Starting a new series of articles on the changing state of regulation for medical devices and in vitro diagnostic equipment, Ashleigh Batchen, Head of Regulatory Affairs at BIVDA (the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association) writes for Pathology in Practice looking at the current situation and forthcoming changes as a result of Brexit.

The North East Innovation Lab is celebrating its second anniversary having expanded its work in accelerating the development of diagnostics across a wide range of applications. Pathology in Practice hears from the laboratory about recent changes and the important role it has played in a number of high-profile projects.

The emerging technology of on-demand printers can offer significant benefits to histology laboratories and pathology procedures, while also facilitating error reduction, explains Lauraline Winter.

Richard Craven of CliniSys considers some of the big developments in pathology and how technology will help laboratories to confront current challenges while preparing for the future of personalised medicine.

The CliniSys national conference returned to The Belfry after a two-year hiatus to debate the big challenges facing the NHS and its pathology services. Matthew Fouracre reports.

As ARKRAY transforms into a truly global diabetes brand, UK general manager David Eyre talks to Pathology in Practice about the challenge of setting up a new operation.