-
Logout
Optimizing Efficiency Through Automation in H&E Staining
The Leica Biosystems Process and Solutions Optimization team has partnered with Wisconsin Diagnostics to evaluate and optimize efficiency through automation. For this study, the HistoCore SPECTRA ST H&E staining system was utilized with two different platforms. The HistoCore SPECTRA ST Stainer, with detached Leica CV5030 Coverslipper, was compared with the HistoCore SPECTRA CV coverslipper, offering attached and automated coverslipping.
Wisconsin Diagnostics is most interested in reducing overall time, technologist hands-on time and touches, and increasing instrument throughput via automation. By observing the current manual transfer processes of the HistoCore SPECTRA ST with the CV5030, and comparing it to the attached HistoCore SPECTRA CV, the Leica Biosystems team can understand the lab’s process and report the outcome of the two methods.
Wisconsin Diagnostics has two HistoCore SPECTRA ST H&E stainers with detached Leica Biosystems CV5030 coverslippers in operation. The work process routine for these two independent pieces of equipment is to load the HistoCore SPECTRA ST, manually offload the slides onto the CV5030 when staining is completed, and offload finished slides again for case assembly when the cover slipping is complete. This process is comprises of 4 manual touchpoints per slide run, which occupies valuable technologist time, decreases throughput and slows overall production. In contrast, the autoloading capability of the HistoCore SPECTRA ST H&E stainer with the attached HistoCore SPECTRA CV condenses the coverslipping into a 2-touch process, effectively increasing overall production and significantly decreasing both mean hands on-time and number of touches per run.
By completing pre- and post-automation time benchmarks, we could determine significant lean laboratory savings of transportation, motion, wait time and talent. The Leica Biosystems Process and Solutions Optimization team looked at the client’s needs and options and generated data to substantiate the savings.
By using the attached automated HistoCore SPECTRA CV, Wisconsin Diagnostics realized the following:
- 85.2% decrease in mean number of touches per run
- 14.5% mean decrease in hands-on time per run
Projections and Realized Results are specific to the institution where they were obtained and may not reflect the results achievable at other institutions.
Leica Biosystems content is subject to the Leica Biosystems website terms of use, available at: Legal Notice. The content, including webinars, training presentations and related materials is intended to provide general information regarding particular subjects of interest to health care professionals and is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, medical, regulatory or legal advice. The views and opinions expressed in any third-party content reflect the personal views and opinions of the speaker(s)/author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views or opinions of Leica Biosystems, its employees or agents. Any links contained in the content which provides access to third party resources or content is provided for convenience only.
For the use of any product, the applicable product documentation, including information guides, inserts and operation manuals should be consulted.
Copyright © 2024 Leica Biosystems division of Leica Microsystems, Inc. and its Leica Biosystems affiliates. All rights reserved. LEICA and the Leica Logo are registered trademarks of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.