Laboratory Services Undergoes Major Renovation
Firelands Health Laboratory Services recently completed an 18-month renovation project that enables the health system to offer the most state-of-the-art lab facility in the region.
Although the original footprint of the space remains, Firelands updated every piece of equipment and reconfigured the layout to accommodate the new laboratory. The project was completed in eight phases, with staff members continuing to provide testing services seven days a week, 24 hours a day, during the complex reconstruction.
One of the most impressive additions to the Firelands Laboratory is the DxA 5000 Fit automation system. This incredible workflow automation system delivers rapid and consistent turnaround times, reduces the number of manual steps performed before and after analyzing patient samples, and benefits from intelligent routing with a small- to mid-sized footprint. The system is an innovative automation solution that improves the workflow in the laboratory by providing access to intelligent automation, regardless of the size of the lab.
Before installing the new automation system, technologists conducted manual pre-and post-analytical work with patient samples. The new design streamlines the work process and is more efficient, faster, and accurate, expediting diagnosis and treatment to improve patient care. “The previous system was much smaller and could only be used for chemistry tests. The design behind the new system is to connect as many instruments as possible to the automation line while using a no-look, one-touch method for all samples, not just chemistry tests. By leveraging the intelligence of the DxA 5000 Fit, safety, quality, and efficiency are maximized,” says Josh Otiso, Director of Laboratory Services. “Physicians and patients also appreciate the quick turnaround time.”
Another advantage of the DxA 5000 Fit is that it manages samples requiring immediate testing, or STAT, from the beginning to the end of the testing process. When a lab technician loads a STAT specimen onto the system, the DxA 5000 Fit quickly routes and processes the sample ahead of other routine specimens. The system optimizes the turnaround time of the result for the patient and physician, enabling important care decisions to be made as quickly as possible.
The laboratory also received new equipment for the departments of hematology, chemistry, fermentation, urinalysis, and microbiology, most of which connect to the DxA 5000 Fit automation system. A few diagnostic tests are performed manually, such as those involving spinal and synovial fluids. These tests will soon be automated. “It was an expensive investment, but it will save money in the long run. And the renovation will not increase the cost of lab services for patients,” says Josh.
The laboratory expansion included equipment for histology and pathology, enabling Firelands Health to offer pathology services to other area hospitals, including Bellevue Hospital, Magruder Hospital, and Fisher-Titus Medical Center. “Pathologists and histologic technicians use a variety of tests to examine the health of cells, tissues, and organs. These tests determine the cause of disease, to monitor the progression of disease, or to assess the effectiveness of treatment,” explains Josh. Firelands Health, which has two full-time physician pathologists on staff, processed an increase of over 1,000 pathology tests in 2023 compared to the previous year, with additional growth projected in 2024.
The Firelands Laboratory has 65 staff members, including medical technologists, histology technologists, phlebotomists, and technical lab assistants.
While Firelands can conduct most tests, certain specialized tests are sent to partner national reference laboratories. In 2023, the Firelands Health lab processed nearly 850,000 tests.
