Next generation laboratory automation and digital bacteriology system installed in Québec
The CHU de Québec, a leading healthcare institution in the Canadian province, and COPAN Diagnostics, Inc., have announced the full installation of WASPLab, the latest generation of full laboratory automation and digital microbiology system, in Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus, one of the five hospitals forming the CHU de Québec. This hospital and COPAN group collaborated to deliver what both call the first installation of a full laboratory automation and digital bacteriology system in North America. The installation of WASPLab’s hardware took place in less than a week, limiting disruption to routine laboratory operations.
Jean-François Gagnon, Microbiology Laboratory Manager at Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, explains, “The Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus is the first healthcare services provider to install and implement WASPLab in North America. This technology allows us to be more effective and efficient in our lab, which is very important from a budgetary point of view. It also allows us to face the shortage of qualified staff and appoint them to value-added tasks. Like most microbiology labs, we have a limited amount of space, and WASPLab allows us to bring in the latest technology for specimen processing, robotics, image analysis, and digital reporting,”
Norman Sharples, Chief Executive Officer of COPAN Diagnostics, adds, “WASPLab moves microbiology from what was essentially a batch process to an efficient and continuous automated flow from sample processing to incubation, reading, interpretation, work-up, and reporting. Its small, high-efficiency footprint eliminates unnecessary track that increases speed of positive culture plate availability, saves costs, and reduces maintenance.” COPAN will showcase WASPLab during AACC Clinical Lab Expo in Houston next month. Read more about this system.
