Key Highlights – FlexPath™ Blox Pilot Study (University Hospital of Padua)

The University Hospital of Padua evaluated the FlexPath™ Blox embedding system in a real-world, high-volume pathology laboratory.

Positive Outcomes

• 47% reduction in embedding time compared with conventional manual embedding (37 seconds vs. 70 seconds per block).
• Improved productivity, allowing technicians to focus on tissue orientation while the system automates repetitive embedding tasks.
• Significant reduction in technical rework:
  • Skin biopsy deeper-level requests reduced from 40% to 13.5% (Deeper level means more time in microtomy phase to reach the tissues for sectioning)
  • Surgical specimen deeper-level requests reduced from 10% to 2% (Deeper level means more time in microtomy phase to reach the tissues for sectioning)
  • Re-embedding rates reduced from 5% to 1% for skin biopsies, with no re-embedding required for surgical specimens.
• No embedding-related nonconformities were recorded during the pilot period.
• Reduced paraffin waste and workstation cleanup time through standardized automated wax dispensing.
• Enhanced traceability and workflow standardization through LIS integration and automated case handling.
• Potential to reduce diagnostic risk, improve patient safety, and optimize laboratory resources.

Potential FTE Impact

Based on the authors’ analysis of a laboratory processing approximately 900 FFPE blocks per day, automated embedding reduces embedding time from 17.5 hours/day to approximately 9.3 hours/day, generating a saving of over 8 hours per day.

This equates to approximately 1 full-time technician (1.0 FTE) that can be redeployed from routine embedding activities to higher-value laboratory tasks, while maintaining the same workload. The study further estimates annual time savings equivalent to more than 250 technician working days per year, highlighting a significant opportunity for workforce optimization in high-volume laboratories.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that automated embedding can substantially improve laboratory efficiency, quality, and workflow consistency. The authors conclude that the technology has strong potential to help pathology laboratories manage increasing workloads, reduce operational costs, optimize staffing resources, improve turnaround times, and support future automation initiatives.

Read the full FlexPath™ Blox Pilot Study (University Hospital of Padua)