“Hands-free” technology

This system was installed some time ago and has been operated successfully in Hillel Yaffe’s Biochemistry Laboratory. This week, in a festive ceremony, it was officially inaugurated in the presence of the medical center's management, senior executives from Roche, which provided the system, Gamidor and management of Sarel, headed by the CEO, the Laboratory Division staff and others. This is technology that is considered the latest in the field (full automation), which can only be found in a small number of medical centers in Israel and was the first of its type to be installed at a government hospital.

“In operational terms, this system handles everything done to the test tubes, including centrifugation, sorting, performance of the tests and archiving in a computerized refrigerator, without human intervention,” explained Dr. Yanna Tal, Director of the Biochemistry Laboratory at HYMC's Laboratory Division. “The advantages of this technology are speed of performance, full traceability after the sampling at all stages and storage of the test tubes under optimal conditions. The device streamlines work processes, including when ordering additional testing. Furthermore, work with the system improves employee safety by minimizing contact with body fluids of patients.”

The new system is ready for operation in the Biochemistry Laboratory at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center

Dr. Ma’anit Shapira, HYMC Laboratory Division Director, added, “We are delighted about the introduction of the system, which is the most innovative in Israel and in the realm of lab test technology. Integration of the system helps us even in the next phase - remote ordering of tests by the staff, with no need for the forms that generally accompany tests today. The system will actually communicate directly with the orders from the department, which contributes to the speed of receiving them, testing them and providing the results. The added value to the attending specialists and, of course, the service provided to the patient - is clear.”

Note that each month, Hillel Yaffe’s Biochemistry Laboratory receives close to 22,000 test tubes for testing, on which approximately 350,000 tests are conducted. The use of the new system makes it possible to increase output by almost 100%, which will help the hospital, given that it is a constantly growing medical center. Today, the laboratories at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center provide service to additional hospitals and institutions in the region, and therefore increasing HYMC’s laboratory capacity will prove beneficial at the national level as well.