PeaceHealth Standardizes Hematology Operations With Sysmex

MUNDELEIN, Ill., Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sysmex America, Inc. today announced a five-year Equipment, Reagents, Q.C. and Service Agreement with PeaceHealth, a not-for-profit integrated healthcare network with medical centers, critical access hospitals, medical group clinics and laboratories located in Alaska, Washington and Oregon.  Based on each site's testing requirements, the agreement ensures either the installation of a Sysmex XE-5000™, Sysmex XE-2100™ or Sysmex XT-1800i™ Automated Hematology Analyzer at nine of the network's clinical laboratories.

The enhanced automation and technology standardization across multiple sites enables PeaceHealth the ability to shift personnel between hematology laboratories without the need to cross-train on different types of analyzers; the ability to withstand future medical technologists' shortages; and the ability to keep up with workload demands and testing complexity that may accompany an aging population.  PeaceHealth processes 730,000 blood samples annually.

Prior to this new contract, Sysmex was selected by Oregon Medical Laboratories (OML), Oregon State's largest reference laboratory owned and operated by PeaceHealth, to standardize hematology operations through the use of advanced robotics and specimen handling.  The first-of-its-kind automation enabled OML hands-free operation doubling its processing capacity.

"PeaceHealth is committed to process improvements that make a 'best-practice' difference in patient care across operations.  Even though our network's clinical laboratories have different testing requirements, PeaceHealth was able to purchase same-technology hematology equipment perfectly suited for each site. This same-technology standardization, coupled with the known reliability of Sysmex instruments, made Sysmex a perfect choice for our clinical laboratory process improvement initiatives," said Julie Halic, Chief Operations Officer at PeaceHealth Laboratories.  Sysmex innovation as evidenced by the development of advanced clinical parameters such as Immature Platelet Fraction (IPF), Reticulocyte Hemoglobin (RET-He) and the Immature Granulocyte (IG) count was also a key decision factor.  The decision to purchase Sysmex instruments was led by a cross-regional group of operations staff, managers and medical technologists.

"We believe Sysmex hematology solutions fit well with PeaceHealth's approach to collaborate and standardize best practices for ongoing improvement in patient care across operations. By standardizing instrument platforms, information integration, and advanced technologies, PeaceHealth's Laboratories will achieve unexpected levels of optimization for laboratory operations that literally transform productivity – all of which offers the enormous benefits of standardized care and consistency. Sysmex America is honored to be a PeaceHealth partner," said George Webber, Sr. Health System Account Manager, Sysmex America.

About PeaceHealth

PeaceHealth is a Bellevue, WA-based not-for-profit health care system with medical centers, critical access hospitals, medical group clinics and laboratories located in Alaska, Washington and Oregon. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, PeaceHealth has provided exceptional medicine and compassionate care to Northwest communities for more than a century. During the most recent fiscal year (ended June 30, 2009), PeaceHealth provided patient care to these communities through more than 60,000 inpatient admissions, 500,000 outpatient registrations, and 1 million medical group encounters. PeaceHealth consistently receives national recognition for innovations in patient-centered care, patient safety, health care technology and cost efficiency.  For more information about PeaceHealth Laboratories, please visit www.peacehealthlabs.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/usa.

SOURCE Sysmex America, Inc.