English
In clinical laboratories, turnaround time (TAT) is more than a metric. A fast, predictable TAT powers efficiency within the lab and patient-centered care throughout the organization. So, when Worcestershire Royal Hospital, a National Health Service (NHS)-funded hospital in Worcestershire, United Kingdom, installed the DxA 5000 Total Lab Automation System from Beckman Coulter, the team kicked off a study to evaluate the technology’s impact on TAT for clinical chemistry and immunoassay samples.
Advantaged Workflows: Adding Expertise and Efficiency to Automation
Researchers found several key advantages to the total lab automation system—and the workflows it supported. At Beckman Coulter, we design our solutions to support Advantaged Workflows. These are workflows that go beyond saving steps or seconds. They leverage a unique blend of products, services, and expertise to streamline operations, advance clinical capabilities, and unlock the power of every sample.
Advantage 1: Faster Turnaround Times for STAT and Routine Samples
Researchers measured turnaround times pre- and post-installation of the DxA 5000 system—from the time the sample barcode was read to the time results were available for validation. After the installation of DxA 5000 system, there was a 56% reduction in total TAT for emergency samples and a 59% reduction in total TAT for routine serum tests.
Furthermore, researchers found that standard deviation was reduced by 91% for emergency samples, which indicates lower variability and dispersion of TAT data points. This translates to consistency, predictability, and reliability of service, enhancing trust in the laboratory.
Advantage 2: Faster Turnaround Times for Add-on Tests
The team also studied the process for add-on tests, measuring the time from booking the additional request into the data management platform to patient results being available.
Researchers found that, after installation of DxA 5000 system, results were available within ~25 minutes, compared to ~49 minutes previously. This is especially helpful in emergency situations and critical care, enabling further testing to fine-tune diagnoses and accelerate treatments.
Advantage 3: Streamlined Error Identification
The laboratory’s workload increased between 2021 and 2023, bringing with it a corresponding increase in the total number of errors detected (going from 961 to 1,419). Although the quantity of errors increased as testing volume went up, there was no difference in the percentage of errors detected in pre- and post-installation settings.
However, with the DxA 5000 system, errors were highlighted upfront by the system, reducing the risk of publishing erroneous results and making the quality control process more efficient. In addition, previously the levels of hemolysis would have been subjective, as technicians needed to assess each tube. The DxA 5000 solution standardized the process of assessing hemolysis levels using the automated routing and analytical test on the Clinical Chemistry analyzer, supporting consistent quality control.
Feeling the Power of Advantaged Workflows
An Advantaged Workflow doesn’t just accelerate the pace of testing; it accelerates clinical decision-making. Worcestershire Royal Hospital reduced turnaround times by more than 50%, which can support clinical teams in diagnosing conditions and beginning treatments sooner. It also helped lab technicians identify potential errors early on, making quality control more reliable and efficient. Learn more about Worcestershire Royal Hospital and our Advantaged Workflows in our published white paper.
