Mercy Lab Offers Faster On-demand Diabetes Testing, Cellular Studies

CANTON, Ohio, June 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercy Medical Center recently implemented advanced clinical laboratory diagnostics technology for conducting on-demand, Hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c) diabetes testing, as well as analysis of important red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts. The new system enables the hospital to provide faster, more accurate lab results for physicians and their patients, which can improve treatment decisions.  

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As North America's first installation of its kind, the Sysmex Lavender Top Management® system, designed and manufactured by Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:  BIO and BIOb) and Sysmex America, builds on Mercy's Sysmex XN-9000™system and further optimizes lab workflow, staffing and space.

Mary Ann Burich-Boccia, administrative director of Mercy Laboratory Services, believes upgrading and standardizing the lab with the XN-9000 Lavender Top Management configuration means the hospital can continue to stay ahead of testing complexities and provide quality HbA_1c testing and results on a 24/7 basis.

"This powerful new platform will greatly benefit patients in our community, many of whom suffer from diabetes, and it will contribute to positive patient outcomes," she says. "Our previous platform was the original Lavender Top Management, and we were able to achieve all our expected productivity gains. The XN-9000 allows us to continue to improve even further."

New System Incorporates Latest in Automation Technology

The XN-9000, a scalable, configurable automation system, integrates multiple XN modules, including the Sysmex RU-20™ concentrated reagent dilution unit; sample sorting and archiving provided by the PVT LabSystems® TS-500; WAM™ decision support software; and Bio-Rad's VARIANT™ II TURBO Link for on-demand HbA_1c testing.

With its new system, Mercy will also perform:

• NRBCs (fluorescent nucleated red blood cell count) with every CBC (complete blood count)
• IG (Immature granulocyte enumeration) with every differential
• RET-He (Reticulocyte hemoglobin) as a parameter in the reticulocyte profile
• IPF (Immature platelet fraction) to aid clinicians in the assessment of thrombocytopenia

XN-9000 Plays Critical Role in Determining Diabetes Control

The XN-9000 uses HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) technology – the gold standard for HbA_1c testing – to perform HbA_1c analysis, which measures the amount of glucose attached to the hemoglobin in the red blood cell and estimates blood glucose control during the previous three to four months. 

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes affects more than 25 million children and adults in the United States, or 8.3 percent of the population. It can increase a person's risk for developing serious complications, including heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney and nervous system diseases. Proper management of the chronic condition can delay or even prevent the onset of complications, allowing patients to live healthier, more productive lives.

About Mercy Medical Center

Mercy Medical Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, operates a 476-bed hospital serving Stark, Carroll, Wayne, Holmes and Tuscarawas Counties and parts of Southeastern Ohio. It has 620 members on its Medical Staff and employs 2,500 people. Mercy operates outpatient health centers in Carroll County, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Louisville, North Canton, Plain Township and Tuscarawas County. A Catholic hospital, Mercy Medical Center upholds the mission and philosophy of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and continues to be responsive to the needs of the community. For more information, see cantonmercy.org.

About Sysmex America, Inc.

Sysmex America, Inc., the U.S. headquarters of Sysmex Corporation (Kobe, Japan), is a world leader in clinical laboratory systemization and solutions, including clinical diagnostics, automation and information systems. Serving customers for over 40 years, Sysmex focuses on extending the boundaries of diagnostic science while providing the management information tools that make a real difference in clinical and operational results for people worldwide. For more information about Sysmex, please visit www.sysmex.com/us.  Stay connected with Sysmex America on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SOURCE MERCY MEDICAL CENTER