TECHNIDATA has deployed a number of advanced interfaces with total lab automation (TLA) systems, covering several disciplines such as microbiology or general lab. In close cooperation with COPAN and BD teams, TECHNIDATA has developed bidirectional interfaces and screen synchronisation between the two manufacturers’ microbiology lab automation systems and TECHNIDATA’s lab software, to ensure full traceability and streamlined, automated workflows.
When thinking about investing in a lab automation system, laboratories should keep in mind that their laboratory information system (LIS) capabilities and integration with lab automation system is key. The LIS is at the crossroad of many critical data flows. It drives lab workflow, not only with quality and regulatory requirements, but also with efficiency, performance and robustness. It manages interfaces with HIS, instruments and lab automation systems, and transforms data into meaningful information.
An optimised interface for fully automated microbiology processes
As an example, TECHNIDATA recently took part in a historic project with the Grenoble Alps University Hospital (CHUGA), the first university hospital in France to implement a microbiology TLA process. The objectives were to streamline repetitive tasks with very little added value, increase productivity, improve traceability and streaking processes standardisation, and reduce contamination and error rates.
CHUGA is now equipped with a BD Kiestra lab automation system, interfaced with TECHIDATA’s paperless microbiology LIS. This allows the laboratory to automate numerous analytical processes – streaking, incubating and reading the cultures.
Microbiologists can easily access the agar images that are stored on the BD Kiestra lab automation system for digital media reading or to ask for a complementary test, while performing clinical validation using the TECHNIDATA LIS. It is also possible to use the BD Kiestra system to access the request managed by the LIS, in order to view complementary results, such as those of preculture steps or cytology tests.
The benefits of paperless microbiology
Designed in consultation with microbiologists, TECHNIDATA’s microbiology LIS is fully dedicated to this modern discipline; it benefits from editor-proven expertise in this field and provides laboratories with functionalities that perfectly meet the specific needs of this field. The software handles all the different laboratory processes – sample management, clinical review, protocol customisation and epidemiology, as well as interfaces with different microbiology instruments and lab automation systems.
It offers comprehensive traceability that meets ISO 15189 requirements, and state-of-the-art connectivity with the most widely used instruments and automation solutions. TECHNIDATA’s microbiology LIS offers the most complete and innovative tools to manage the modern microbiology laboratory.
In order to make it possible for all laboratories to leverage the benefits of paperless microbiology, TECHNIDATA has launched TDBactiLink, a middleware version of its microbiology LIS. TDBactiLink easily integrates laboratory organisation and enables a laboratory to benefit from microbiology-specific functionalities in a cost-effective way, without changing the existing LIS. TDBactiLink microbiology middleware is also fully integrated with COPAN WASPLab and BD Kiestra lab automation systems.
A leading software company
TECHNIDATA is a leading global software supplier for clinical, anatomic-pathology laboratories and biobank information systems. Developed in full compliance with the ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 quality standards, TECHNIDATA solutions cover all clinical laboratory disciplines: biochemistry, haematology, immunology, virology, microbiology, blood banking, histology and cytology, genetics and biobanking.
