Automation upgrade enhances pathology at St Vincent’s Melbourne

A new automated pathology track system installed at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) is revolutionising the way we process and analyse pathology samples. 

Our Pathology Department processes around 3000 samples a day from across our public and private hospitals and external clinics in the community. Previously, each step in sample processing was managed manually by the lab team, relying solely on human touchpoints at every stage. 

The new Abott Diagnostics GLP system enables samples to be transported around the lab via a 99m-long track using tiny motorised carriers referred to as CARs. These CARs ferry the samples to and from centrifuges, de-capping robots, aliquoting robots, analysers, output modules, recapping robots and, finally, to refrigerated storage. The fridges can store over 30,000 specimens, which are automatically discarded after a designated period.

“We now have the capacity to conduct preanalytical and postanalytical steps automatically using the GLP track software,” said Dr Christina Trambas, SVHM’s Medical Director of Pathology.

“This hi-tech programming also has the ability to automatically route the specimens to particular analyser workstations and areas of the lab, depending on the testing that is required. It has markedly improved our workflows and modernised our lab.” 

Pathology automation upgrade L to R: Christina Trambas and Warren Louey
Pathology powered for tomorrow 

Removing the burden of many labour-intensive manual processes will open up greater opportunity for lab staff to focus on more complex diagnostics and value-adding tasks. It allows staff to concentrate on urgent and critical results and improve turnaround times. 

The configuration of the track system is equipped for more analysers to be connected as lab needs grow, helping futureproof the pathology service at SVHM.  

“This includes analysers from vendors, which gives us flexibility into the future and opportunity to broaden our testing menu,” said Warren Louey, SVHM’s Pathology Operations Manager.