Beckman Coulter has launched two automated systems designed to ease rapidly increasing workloads in microbiology and virology departments onto the UK market.
The DxN VERIS Molecular Diagnostics system, for same-day molecular viral load testing, and the MicroScan Microbiology Systems for microorganism identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), rapidly and accurately identify therapeutic pathways for patient management. The high-throughput testing systems are designed to significantly streamline laboratory workflows, and reduce time to patient therapy diagnoses.
The launch marks the advent of a significant investment in the UK microbiology market by Beckman Coulter with further product introductions scheduled. It was marked with a showcase - the first in a series of educational events designed to provide a platform for interested parties to learn about new technologies. At the launch event, attendees had the opportunity to speak to individuals using the new automated platforms, evaluate data in the form of presentations, and asked questions of the technical experts.
Duncan Whittaker, Laboratory Manager Virology at the Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, spoke about his experience with the DxN VERIS - which provides fast and accurate viral load assays by consolidating extraction, amplification and detection onto a single platform. “The DxN VERIS is the kind of instrumentation that will help the laboratory to meet long-terms goals for improved services with faster turnaround times and greater productivity,” he said.
"The system saves both hands-on time and space in the laboratory. Results are available rapidly - facilitating fast decision making and positively impacting patient treatment. Training staff is very quick and straightforward, taking just 20 minutes. Initial comments have been that faster results for certain viral load assays could be life-saving in some instances.”
Attendees also heard from Michael Dawson, Senior Biomedical Scientist, at the William Harvey Hospital, where two MicroScan WalkAway 96 Plus systems are in use as part of the East Kent Microbiology Service. The systems have improved workflow and streamlined processes through the rapid delivery of ID and AST with gold-standard accuracy. The walkaway systems allow simultaneous processing of conventional, rapid, and specialty panels. In addition, the MicroScan offers true Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) technology with visual read capability, which enables the detection of emerging resistance in real-time, without reliance on historical data.
Michael spoke about his Trust’s decision to choose the system. “For us the need to move to an automated microbial screening system was clear. Our previous multipoint testing methods, supported by disc diffusion testing, were non-reproducible, unreliable and inaccurate. In addition to the lack of standardisation, they were time consuming and whilst we screened for many agents, MIC determination required a further manual method.
“Time and accuracy are important factors for us as we screen more than 160 isolates a day, seven days a week. We’ve found that the accuracy and reliability of MicroScan means that fewer isolates need further testing, reducing unnecessary manual work and delivering results in a predictable and consistent timeframe. We are particularly impressed with the quick and very easy-to-use standardised PROMPT inoculation system and the fact that the MicroScan has the fewest clinically significant limitations in regard to antibiotic and micro-organism combinations.This is great as fewer limitations mean we don’t have to revert to a manual method."
The Trust has also been impressed by the system's software and company support. "We’ve found the LabPro software to be very user friendly. There’s an excellent rules database which is flexible and allows us to tailor the final interpretation to our requirements. Beckman Coulter have a really enthusiastic, motivated and focused team working with us. They are attentive, listening to our concerns, and are responsive to our needs,” Michael concluded.
