Sunquest and Geisinger Implement Clinical Microbiology Lab Model for 21st Century

Sunquest Information Systems, Inc., a market leader in laboratory and diagnostic information systems, and Geisinger Health System, have achieved significant workflow improvements through the successful implementation and integration of Sunquest's Laboratory Information System (LIS) and the Copan WASP: Walk-Away Specimen Processor for planting and streaking of clinical microbiology specimens. Geisinger, Sunquest, and Copan Diagnostics, Inc. worked closely and collaboratively to deliver North America's first seamless solution for transferring patient and order data from the enterprise system to the lab system and then to the WASP. Since implementing the solution in June 2008, Geisinger has achieved labor savings by automating specimen processing through the use of barcoding, robotics, and computerization.

'Geisinger is excited to be the first healthcare services provider to integrate our laboratory information system and workflow to achieve this level of automation for processing select microbiology specimens. While these processes are commonplace in chemistry and hematology labs, this is the first time these techniques are available in a clinical microbiology lab. We anticipate additional benefits from this automation as we expand the types of specimens that are processed by the WASP,' said Dr. Paul Bourbeau, PhD, Director of Microbiology, Geisinger Medical Laboratories at Geisinger Medical Center. 'Since implementing the Sunquest LIS with the Copan WASP, we have experienced significant workflow improvements that are enabling us to accommodate increased specimen test volumes without adding staff in our processing area.'

'Dr. Bourbeau is recognized throughout the industry as a thought leader, innovator, and pioneer in successfully implementing new technologies that will benefit Geisinger Medical Center, the practice of laboratory medicine, and ultimately the patient,' said Debbie Tillman, senior product manager, Sunquest Information Systems, Inc. 'Sunquest values the close and collaborative relationships that allow us to fully understand our customer's needs and deliver solutions that enable them to achieve their highest goals for workflow excellence.'

'Working closely with Geisinger Health Systems and Sunquest has been a very rewarding and exciting experience for our company and it marks a key milestone for our first of many instrument placements in the US,' said Norman Sharples, executive vice president of Copan Diagnostics, Inc. 'Completing the integrated workflow and technology implementation, and seeing it produce demonstrable results for our customer shows the full potential and benefits that the WASP instrument brings to the lab.'