Following trials of the DxN VERIS Molecular Diagnostics System, a new automated platform for routine viral load assays, Duncan Whittaker describes the workflow and turnaround time improvements achieved and how this might impact on service provision in the future.
The Department of Virology at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a valuable diagnostic testing service to the people of Sheffield, serving the local community and five teaching hospitals within the trust as well as Sheffield Children’s Hospital. It is also a referral laboratory receiving samples from further afield for various tests, including routine viral loads and molecular diagnostics.
Three years ago, the department moved into a new, purpose-built laboratory medicine building, based at the city’s Northern General Hospital. At the same time, the laboratory working day was extended (09.00– 17.00 to 08.00–20.00) with no increase in staff numbers. However, the new facilities offered plenty of space, increased automation and improved proximities to help increase efficiencies, and the department looked forward to expanding its repertoire.
Today, the department’s annual automated workload includes around 105,000 serology samples (more than 300,000 tests) and 65,000 samples for molecular testing (around 129,000 tests), as well as 60,000 samples for Chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing.
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