Tailored to fit
Xchange newsletter – May 2009
Abbott has a long history of innovation in virology. We launched our first hepatitis assay in 1972 – the only one at that time to have the sensitivity to detect infection with the required degree of certainty. In 1985, Abbott developed the first diagnostic test to screen blood and blood products for HIV. A series of marketleading instruments – IMx, AxSYM and ARCHITECT – have enabled the automation of assays with increasing efficiency. Today’s extensive ARCHITECT family is built around a common platform, enabling a ‘mix and match’ approach and allowing us to tailor the right solution for each laboratory. Here we speak to users of ARCHITECT virology.
Manchester Royal Infirmary
Dave Ellis, virology manager: Like many virology departments, we have a long history of working with batch analysers. When the time came to modernise our process, we looked for a radical approach. We intuitively knew that virology could benefit from the random access analysers and automated sample handling systems enjoyed by colleagues in other pathology disciplines. Following extensive research, we decided to install ARCHITECT i2000SR analysers.
Of our routine serology assays, 80% are now run on Abbott instruments and we are looking to bring some new assays onboard, including HCV Core Antigen and HTLV. The resulting efficiency has halved turnaround time for all the assays performed on ARCHITECT and we are aiming for a 24 hour turnaround time for all assays. In addition, we have freed up staff to perform the more scientific tasks they trained for.
Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby
Graham Sparling, pathology manager:We were already using Abbott analysers – an AxSYM for virology and ARCHITECTs for clinical chemistry – but wanted to adopt a single platform for both disciplines in order to streamline our laboratory. The performance of ARCHITECT’s SmartWash is impressive so we were confident when moving from AxSYM to ARCHITECT. We now use two high volume ARCHITECT ci16200 analysers as workhorses, processing the bulk of the lab’s samples. In addition, we use a ci8200 analyser for virology and urgent clinical chemistry.
Chris Irvin, senior BMS: The ARCHITECTs have performed well. They are simple to use and reliable. I’m impressed with the QC software, particularly in terms of rules. Moving from AxSYM to ARCHITECT has also improved turnaround times, so we are generating results earlier in the day.
Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow
Deborah Orriss, Lead BMS in Microbiology: As part of a multi-disciplinary approach to pathology modernisation, we are integrating Serology into an automated Blood Sciences department. For virology testing, we share an ARCHITECT ci8200 analyser with Biochemistry. This approach aids primary tube sampling and has improved efficiency. Consequently, we have been able to absorb an increase in workload and even release serology staff for other work.
With the ci8200 being located in the clinical chemistry laboratory, the Analyser Management System* (AMS) has been a real help. We can access results from the serology laboratory and filter results so we don’t have to trawl through all the biochemistry ones.
By using ARCHITECT we have now automated our syphilis testing. Daily testing means antenatal screening results are available sooner.
Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton
Denis McElborough, lead virologist:I’ve been using Abbott systems since the IMx. Three years ago we made the logical progression from AxSYM to ARCHITECT in order to manage our increasing workload. ARCHITECT has a huge throughput which, even now, more than meets our needs. We can manage if the instrument is having a service and still have time to do our day’s work.
A key driver for staying with Abbott systems is that we consider so many of the assays to be the industry standard. When you look at national QC data, ARCHITECT assays are well up there for most analytes. Of particular importance to us in Brighton are the HIV Combo and hepatitis B assays which are exceptional. The UK National Guidelines for HIV Testing (2008) mandate use of a 4th generation assay (previously ‘3rd or 4th’) and the ARCHITECT assay meets this criteria.
In my opinion, ARCHITECT is the system of choice for virology in the UK.
Conclusion
The examples above illustrate how Abbott’s flexible range of analysers can be tailored to fit any laboratory whether large or small, multidisciplinary or single. ARCHITECT virology can be performed on standalone instruments or integrated analysers. Of course, if a fully automated approach is required, ARCHITECT virology testing can be added to our ACCELERATOR APS too.
* supplied under licence from Omnilab srl
