NorDx Enhances Clinical Laboratory Diagnostic Services with State-of-the-Art Technology

PORTLAND, Maine, April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- NorDx, (Northern Diagnostic Laboratories), the largest reference laboratory in the state of Maine and a member of MaineHealth, today announces the acquisition of Sysmex® XN-Series Automated Hematology Analyzers.  NorDx and MaineHealth are the first clinical laboratories in the country to acquire the new Sysmex XN-Series hematology analyzers.  The analyzers enhance the clinical laboratories' turnaround times for patient blood counts results, thereby enabling physicians and other healthcare professionals to treat patients sooner, according to Stan Schofield, President of NorDx, Senior Vice President of MaineHealth.  The analyzers also offer unique advantages for testing both normal and abnormal hematology samples.  "Our clinical laboratories will now be able to further improve differentiation of anemia types, better monitor bone marrow transplants, better aid in the diagnoses of leukemia and other diseases with immature cells in the circulating blood and help improve the diagnosis of possible bleeding disorders," added Schofield.  NorDx is accredited by the College of American Pathologists and offers a full range of laboratory services to multiple hospital sites, physician practices, and long-term care facilities in the tri-state region of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.  

"As a member of one of the nation's top 100 integrated delivery networks, we understand that our clinical excellence starts with the core technology and clinical utility of our laboratory's instrumentation and ends with diagnosis, treatment and improved quality of life for the patient," said Schofield.  "The Sysmex® XN-Series is a powerful new technology platform that sets an entirely new standard of testing sophistication and capacity.  No doubt, these new analyzers have broad implications for the health and vitality of our community considering much of a patient's medical record is comprised of laboratory results," added Schofield. 

The acquisition of the Sysmex XN-Series automated hematology analyzers also help NorDx and MaineHealth address cost and labor pressures, including projected shortage of medical technologists, increasing workload demands and the testing complexity of an aging population.

About NorDx
NorDx was established in 1976 as the first licensed independent clinical laboratory in Maine. Since then, it has grown in scope and expertise through affiliations with Maine Medical Center (MMC), the Maine Medical Center Research Institute (MMCRI), and the Center for Lipid Research and Clinical Research Management. This consolidation of expertise has formed a single, comprehensive healthcare system, which consists of one of the largest, most sophisticated, state-of-the-art laboratories in the Northeast. The vast majority of testing is performed within the NorDx laboratory network.  NorDx's main site is located at the new, technologically advanced facility in Scarborough, Maine. The facility covers 30,000 square feet and consists of high-tech laboratory instrumentation equipped to accommodate robotics. However, it is the expertise, professionalism, and highest-caliber of personnel that is behind each and every test that differentiates NorDx from its competitors.

About MaineHealth
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit family of leading high-quality providers and other healthcare organizations working together so their communities are the healthiest in America. Ranked among the nation's top 100 integrated healthcare delivery networks, MaineHealth member organizations include Maine Medical Center, Goodall Hospital, Lincoln County Healthcare, Maine Mental Health Partners, Pen Bay Healthcare, Southern Maine Medical Center, Waldo County Healthcare, Western Maine Health, HomeHealth Visiting Nurses, Maine Physician Hospital Organization, NorDx and Synernet. Affiliates of MaineHealth include MaineGeneral Medical Center, Mid Coast Hospital, St. Mary's Regional Medical Center and New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland. 

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.

SOURCE NorDx