Initially, allergy testing was not integrated into the processes handled by the Siemens ADVIA WorkCell Automation Solution. Testing was done on a stand-alone instrument resulting in significant workflow issues. Total turnaround times (TATs) were very long with poor reproducibility. The poor workflow of allergy tubes created significant waiting times with a large number of manual procedures and technologist interaction. Batch mode testing was performed only twice a week and the organization was “staff-dependent,” with only a few lab operators able to run and validate allergy tests. To answer the customers' demands for better, faster allergy TATs and an internal demand for better efficiency, Unilabs decided to integrate allergy testing into the ADVIA WorkCell Automation Solution. The objectives: to provide faster and more reproducible TATs, to deliver allergy results consolidated with other results, to have a better flow of samples (no waiting times, less manual interactions), to optimize staff utilization (by creating a multidisciplinary team to overcome "staff dependency"), and to enhance the medical benefits (by reducing the risk of errors).

The Siemens ADVIA WorkCell Automation Solution permitted the integration of many processes, creating a single, strong, multidisciplinary lab force to facilitate the implementation of this new equipment. By adding an IMMULITE® 2500 System for allergy testing, Unilabs achieved all of its objectives as well as increased efficiency and thus higher client satisfaction.

Following the successful integration of allergy testing, Unilabs has initiated similar projects to integrate serology and autoimmune testing into the ADVIA WorkCell Automation Solution.

Benefits of implementing an ADVIA WorkCell Automation Solution:

• Consolidating wide menu of methodologies – routine biochemistry, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), proteins, and immunoassay testing – onto a single integrated platform
• Reducing the number of patient sample tubes processed (more tests performed from a single tube)
• More reproducible TATs with fewer errors
• Increased efficiency (fewer manual tube transfers within the lab) and improved staff satisfaction