PCL Alverno has signed a multi-year expanded agreement with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics and finished implementing several new microbiology systems, becoming the first medical diagnostics laboratory in the U.S. to showcase Siemens´ full range of advanced microbiology testing solutions. Now designated a Siemens Microbiology Innovations Center, Alverno will serve as a future reference site for other laboratories interested in exploring Siemens´ complete microbiology portfolio offerings. Today, the two organizations celebrated the milestone at Alverno´s Hammond, Indiana headquarters."Designation of Alverno as a Siemens Microbiology Innovation Center means an enhanced contribution to the doctor-patient relationship," said Dale Kahn, Director of Laboratory Operations, PCL Alverno. "Delivery of microbiology testing results in the most efficient, accurate way is a top priority."

"Siemens is excited to partner with Alverno to showcase the tremendous advances in microbiology automation, both now and in the future," said Jim McMenamin, VP, Microbiology and Molecular business unit, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. "Expanding the reach of our portfolio is an important component of Siemens´ Agenda 2013 initiative."

Alverno is a full-service, community-based medical laboratory offering over 750 different tests in both clinical and anatomic pathology. Its new Siemens agreement includes the integration of several new solutions to Alverno´s existing state-of-the-art laboratory services, including the Copan WASP®: Walk-Away Specimen Processor (WASP)¹ - available to medical laboratories through a Siemens-Copan partnership³.

Designed to help laboratories streamline preanalytical microbiology testing operations and free up staff resources, the WASP System fully automates the often tedious tasks of bacteriology specimen processing. Alverno has also implemented the Bruker MALDI Biotyper² System - available to customers via a Siemens-Bruker partnership³ - for faster, more accurate and cost-effective microorganism identifica-tion compared to current methods. Later this year, Alverno will be the first laboratory in the U.S. to implement WASPLab™¹ System, the next level of Copan automation. WASPLab System is a barcode-driven and conveyor-connected specimen process-ing system that employs robotic plate management and image analysis.

Alverno has been a long time Siemens customer, currently using ten MicroScan® WalkAway® Systems - Siemens´ signature microbiology testing solution featuring intelligent automation to help increase efficiency and reduce maintenance. To further streamline operations and expedite test results, Alverno has integrated Siemens´ LabPro Connect software into their operation. This networking solution enables technologists to manage nearly all aspects of specimen processing and reporting without leaving their bench, and supports supervisory activities with no interruption of daily workflow.

References ¹ WASP and WASPLab are trademarks of Copan Italia S.p.A. WASP is registered in the United States.

² MALDI Biotyper is a trademark of Bruker Daltonik. For research use only-USA. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

³ Copan Italia S.p.A and Bruker Daltonics, Inc. are Strategic Alliance Partners of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.