Sunquest and Geisinger Implement Clinical Microbiology Lab Model for 21st Century
TUCSON, Ariz.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sunquest Information Systems, Inc., a market leader in laboratory and diagnostic information systems, and Geisinger Health System, today announced significant workflow improvements through the successful implementation and integration of Sunquest’s Laboratory Information System (LIS) and the Copan WASP: Walk-Away Specimen Processor for planting and streaking of clinical microbiology specimens. Geisinger, Sunquest, and Copan Diagnostics, Inc. worked closely and collaboratively to deliver North America’s first seamless solution for transferring patient and order data from the enterprise system to the lab system and then to the WASP. Since implementing the solution in June 2008, Geisinger has achieved labor savings by automating specimen processing through the use of barcoding, robotics, and computerization.
“Geisinger is excited to be the first healthcare services provider to integrate our laboratory information system and workflow to achieve this level of automation for processing select microbiology specimens. While these processes are commonplace in chemistry and hematology labs, this is the first time these techniques are available in a clinical microbiology lab. We anticipate additional benefits from this automation as we expand the types of specimens that are processed by the WASP,” said Dr. Paul Bourbeau, PhD, Director of Microbiology, Geisinger Medical Laboratories at Geisinger Medical Center. “Since implementing the Sunquest LIS with the Copan WASP, we have experienced significant workflow improvements that are enabling us to accommodate increased specimen test volumes without adding staff in our processing area.”
“Dr. Bourbeau is recognized throughout the industry as a thought leader, innovator, and pioneer in successfully implementing new technologies that will benefit Geisinger Medical Center, the practice of laboratory medicine, and ultimately the patient,” said Debbie Tillman, senior product manager, Sunquest Information Systems, Inc. “Sunquest values the close and collaborative relationships that allow us to fully understand our customer’s needs and deliver solutions that enable them to achieve their highest goals for workflow excellence.”
“Working closely with Geisinger Health Systems and Sunquest has been a very rewarding and exciting experience for our company and it marks a key milestone for our first of many instrument placements in the US,” said Norman Sharples, executive vice president of Copan Diagnostics, Inc. “Completing the integrated workflow and technology implementation, and seeing it produce demonstrable results for our customer shows the full potential and benefits that the WASP instrument brings to the lab.”
About Geisinger Health System
Founded in 1915, Geisinger Health System is physician-led, and one of the nation’s leading fully integrated health services organizations. It is dedicated to health care, education, research, and service, spanning 40 counties of 20,000 square miles and serving 2.5 million people throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
Geisinger strives to enhance the quality of life through an integrated health service organization based on a balanced program of patient care, education, research, and community service. For more information, visit: www.geisinger.org.
About Copan Diagnostics, Inc.
With a reputation for innovation in preanalytics, Copan Diagnostics is the leading manufacturer of collection and transport systems in the world. Copan Diagnostics offers a complete range of microbial sampling products used for traditional culture analysis and for molecular diagnostic assays, as well as producing innovations, like the patented Flocked Swabs, Universal Transport Medium and ESwab. The company manufactures a comprehensive line of laboratory consumables comprising of inoculation loops, needles, spreaders, and transfer pipettes. Copan Diagnostics, Inc. has recently launched WASP: Walk-Away Specimen Processor, a new revolutionary system for automatic planting and streaking of Microbiology samples. For more information about Copan Diagnostics, visit http://www.copanusa.com.
About Sunquest Information Systems, Inc.
Sunquest Information Systems, Inc. is a global market leader in laboratory and diagnostic information solutions. The company develops and markets best-of-suite solutions that improve productivity and enhance revenue through workflow excellence, enable customers to exceed patient safety goals, enhance physician and patient affinity within the community, and position leaders to drive success in the era of predictive and personalized medicine. Sunquest introduced the concept of the Five Rights of Laboratory Testing to champion the importance of the laboratory in the safe delivery of healthcare.
Sunquest is a recognized leader in customer service and on-time implementations with more than 1,300 hospitals and commercial laboratories using its solutions worldwide. The company’s experienced sales and technical service teams deliver assistance to customers for their procurement, implementation, and customer care needs. Its professional services division provides a wide array of management and technical tools, including lab redesign and optimization, outreach and lab network program development, and operational business and implementation plans. For more information, call 800-748-0692 or visit: www.sunquestinfo.com.
Sunquest is a Trademark of Sunquest Information Systems, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.
