In a notable stride towards technological innovation, ECU Health Medical Center has recently upgraded its microbiology laboratory by installing the advanced BD Kiestra Total Lab Automation (TLA) system. This significant enhancement aims to bolster standardization, improve laboratory efficiency, and centralize microbiology testing, reflecting the institution’s enduring commitment to process improvement and high-quality patient care. The replacement of traditional, manual methods with state-of-the-art automation illustrates ECU Health’s proactive approach to adopting new technologies and enhancing their operational capabilities.
The BD Kiestra TLA system revolutionizes the laboratory culture workflow by automating entire processes, from plate labeling and inoculation to incubation, imaging, and plate reading. This sophisticated automation minimizes manual handling, thereby significantly reducing human error. Traditionally, lab technicians had to manually read each plate after incubation, a process fraught with potential delays and inaccuracies. Heather Duncan, the lab services director, enunciated how the old method often delayed results, as poorly developed cultures needed reincubation, akin to a cake taken out of the oven prematurely.
Benefits of Automation: Enhanced Accuracy and Efficiency
The introduction of the Kiestra TLA system brings a significant reduction in the dependency on manual labor, which has historically been labor-intensive and prone to errors. This advanced system employs artificial intelligence to detect organism growth earlier than the human eye can perceive, ensuring consistent application of samples and eliminating delays caused by the necessity to rework. The automation ensures that laboratory results are delivered more swiftly and with a higher degree of accuracy, ultimately improving patient care effectiveness.
System administrator Caryl Havasy described the meticulous process behind the implementation of the Kiestra TLA system, which spanned four years and included comprehensive business case analysis, financial investment, necessary construction modifications, equipment installation, and extensive staff training. The laboratory thus unveiled its advanced capabilities in July, marked by an open house event and ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 8. This event symbolized the beginning of a new era in ECU Health’s microbiology lab operations, underscoring the institution’s dedication to adopting innovative solutions that save time and improve quality.
Key Voices and Insights: High Praise for Technological Advancements
Dr. Niti Armistead, the chief quality officer and chief clinical officer of ECU Health, lauded the Kiestra system as an invaluable investment in their skilled laboratory staff. This technology allows staff to deploy their expertise more resourcefully while significantly enhancing safety and efficiency by reducing the likelihood of manual errors. It is a testament to ECU Health’s dedication to providing excellent healthcare services and ensuring that their staff is equipped with the most advanced tools available in the industry.
Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Medical Center, emphasized how the Kiestra system streamlines laboratory processes and minimizes errors, enabling lab professionals to concentrate on delivering timely, life-saving results. This enhanced efficiency translates into improved patient care, which is paramount in the medical field. Furthermore, Andy Zukowski, ECU Health’s chief financial officer, extolled the system’s ability to elevate the quality of patient care, improve throughput, and achieve cost savings. The collective viewpoint remains that the Kiestra TLA system is a monumental innovation, aligning perfectly with ECU Health’s commitment to providing high-quality care while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
A Future of Precision and Excellence
ECU Health Medical Center has made a significant leap in technological innovation by installing the advanced BD Kiestra Total Lab Automation (TLA) system in its microbiology laboratory. This upgrade is designed to enhance standardization, improve efficiency, and centralize microbiology testing, demonstrating the institution’s dedication to process improvement and superior patient care. By replacing traditional, manual methods with cutting-edge automation, ECU Health shows its commitment to adopting new technologies and elevating its operational capabilities.
The BD Kiestra TLA system revolutionizes the laboratory culture workflow by automating tasks from plate labeling and inoculation to incubation, imaging, and plate reading. This comprehensive automation reduces manual handling, significantly lowering the chances of human error. Previously, lab technicians manually read each plate after incubation, which often led to delays and inaccuracies. Heather Duncan, the lab services director, highlighted how the old method frequently postponed results, as underdeveloped cultures often needed reincubation, similar to a cake that wasn’t fully baked being put back in the oven.
