Laboratory supplier Sarstedt hosted a two-day educational Transport Symposium at its Leicester base during March. An audience of NHS managers and biomedical scientists were present for a variety of presentations as well as a hands-on preview of the Tempus600 transport system.
Key presentations included Clinical Director Pathology at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Michael Cornes looking at existing methods of sample transport, and Professor of Clinical Biochemistry at Denmark’s Lillebaelt Hospital, Ivan Brandslund, who spoke on how the Tempus system – along with some other innovative developments – have helped his laboratory reduce total turnaround time.
The first day’s highlight was undoubtably a session on creating a culture of high performance, delivered by Manuel Knight, a US Army veteran who is now one of Europe’s most sought-after speakers in the field of performance and motivation.
Further ‘workshop’ sessions allowed some group discussion on the challenges faced by the delegates’ own trusts and laboratories and how technology can be of assistance, as well as following up on Manuel’s presentation and how it can be applied to NHS departments.
As well as the chance for delegates to get hands on with a working example of the Tempus system, there was the opportunity for a live Q+A session with laboratory staff in Denmark who work day-to-day with the largest currently installed version to hear how it works in practice and the benefits it has offered.
Sarstedt’s Tempus system can transport single tube samples quickly and efficiently, without the need for any extra packaging and with no effect on the sample itself. A variety of sending stations can cater for a number of different applications and sites, with automated versions able to handle up to 1,200 samples an hour. The system is designed to work with Sarstedt’s own pre-barcoded tubes and connection modules can also deliver sample tubes to bulk loaders or sorters for transfer to a track system.
Matt Casey, Sarstedt UK’s Marketing and Sales Support Manager commented, “I would like to thank everyone that attended the event and maintained the high energy levels. We have received positive feedback from the attendees on all aspects of the event and we felt it was a success. The speakers focused on products, process and people to ultimately improve the transportation of samples. This co-operation with key opinion leaders enables Sarstedt to work in partnership with our customers to improve outcomes.”