PCL Alverno has signed a multi-year expanded agreement with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics and finished implementing several new microbiology systems, becoming the first medical diagnostics laboratory in the U.S. to showcase Siemens’ full range of advanced microbiology testing solutions. Now designated a Siemens Microbiology Innovations Center, Alverno will serve as a future reference site for other laboratories interested in exploring Siemens’ complete microbiology portfolio offerings. Today, the two organizations celebrated the milestone at Alverno’s Hammond, Indiana headquarters.
“Designation of Alverno as a Siemens Microbiology Innovation Center means an enhanced contribution to the doctor-patient relationship,” said Dale Kahn, Director of Laboratory Operations, PCL Alverno. “Delivery of microbiology testing results in the most efficient, accurate way is a top priority.”
“Siemens is excited to partner with Alverno to showcase the tremendous advances in microbiology automation, both now and in the future,” said Jim McMenamin, VP, Microbiology and Molecular business unit, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. “Expanding the reach of our portfolio is an important component of Siemens’ Agenda 2013 initiative.”
Alverno is a full-service, community-based medical laboratory offering over 750 different tests in both clinical and anatomic pathology. Its new Siemens agreement includes the integration of several new solutions to Alverno’s existing state-of-the-art laboratory services, including the Copan WASP®: Walk-Away Specimen Processor (WASP)¹ – available to medical laboratories through a Siemens-Copan partnership³.
Designed to help laboratories streamline preanalytical microbiology testing operations and free up staff resources, the WASP System fully automates the often tedious tasks of bacteriology specimen processing. Alverno has also implemented the Bruker MALDI Biotyper² System – available to customers via a Siemens-Bruker partnership³ – for faster, more accurate and cost-effective microorganism identification compared to current methods. Later this year, Alverno will be the first laboratory in the U.S. to implement WASPLab™¹ System, the next level of Copan automation. WASPLab System is a barcode-driven and conveyor-connected specimen processing system that employs robotic plate management and image analysis.
Alverno has been a long time Siemens customer, currently using ten MicroScan® WalkAway® Systems – Siemens’ signature microbiology testing solution featuring intelligent automation to help increase efficiency and reduce maintenance. To further streamline operations and expedite test results, Alverno has integrated Siemens’ LabPro Connect software into their operation. This networking solution enables technologists to manage nearly all aspects of specimen processing and reporting without leaving their bench, and supports supervisory activities with no interruption of daily workflow.
For further information on Siemens Microbiology Solutions, please visit: www.usa.siemens.com/microbiology.
For further information on Alverno Clinical Laboratories, please visit: www.alvernoclinicallabs.org.
Follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/SiemensHealth.
Launched in November 2011, “Agenda 2013” is the initiative of the Siemens Healthcare Sector to further strengthen its innovative power and competitiveness. Specific measures, which will be implemented by the end of 2013, have been defined in four fields of action: innovation, competitiveness, regional footprint, and people development.
The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 51,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2012 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 13.6 billion euros and profit of around 1.8 billion euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.
