Stichting Huisartsen Laboratorium (SHL) in Breda (The Netherlands) chooses Inpeco to supply automation system for its clinical laboratory
SHL, one of the largest independent clinical laboratories in the Netherlands, has decided to entrust Inpeco with the automation of all activities for pre- and post- analytical phases. These activities are required to load, prepare and store the many thousands of samples the laboratory receives daily from the external collection centres that patients visit to have their blood or any other biological fluid tested.
The final decision was made after an extensive and complete evaluation of the different alternatives available on the market, and took into account the various features of the system, including flexibility, reliability, support and, needless to say, cost.
The openness of the Inpeco system (brand name FlexLab) was the main reason why it was selected. FlexLab can be connected to all major analyzers currently available – a key feature that gives the laboratory the freedom to choose the preferred analyzers in every single analytical area.
More specifically, SHL decided to extend the automation process to the following areas: haematology, coagulation, sedimentation, clinical chemistry, drug abuse, immunochemistry, allergies and glycated hemoglobin, which represent a large percentage of the samples that are processed.
Laboratory automation has increased consistently over the past decade thanks to the significant benefits derived from its adoption, especially in terms of the reduction of errors and manpower, full process traceability, the elimination of trivial work and the reduction of TAT (Turn-Around Time) outliers.
The supply contract also includes the software (Nemo) necessary for managing all data produced by the laboratory and generated by all laboratory systems, which either are or are not connected to FlexLab. Nemo provides the laboratory with access to all data within a single system, which offers major benefits in terms of simplicity and speed.
“We are proud that SHL has chosen Inpeco to be its partner in this exciting project” says Andrea Pedrazzini, President of Inpeco, “and are committed to acting as a reliable and effective partner during the entire process for planning, implementing and supporting such a great project”.
“Inpeco has proven to be a highly innovative and dynamic company. We believe that Inpeco is the ideal partner to help us increase the efficiency of our laboratory, which is facing constant challenges in the form of permanently increasing test volumes and pricing pressure” confirms Dr. Rutten (CEO of SHL).
About SHL
SHL, which is part of the SHL Group, delivers a broad package of services to general practitioners and others active in first-line health care. In addition to function tests and ultrasound scans, MRI and fundus photography, laboratory testing is one of its main functions. SHL also has its own phlebotomy team (250 employees). The company, which has approximately 700 employees (350 FTEs), receives 4,000 requests and performs 24,000 tests on a daily basis.
About Inpeco
Since 1990, Inpeco has specialised in the design, development and manufacture of automation systems for clinical laboratories. At the Anaheim AACC in 1995, the company exhibited its first product that was the result of a joint effort with Beckman.
Inpeco currently distributes its products through its strategic partners Siemens and Abbott.
Over 250 systems have been placed around the world, making Inpeco one of the leading companies in its field.