Anatomic Pathology LIS
Streamlines workflows and improves patient care
Sunquest CoPathPlus, an anatomic pathology laboratory information system from Sunquest Information Systems, Tucson, Ariz, is designed to overcome staffing shortfalls, improve patient safety, and deliver rapid turnaround times. Featuring data and specimen management, billing capabilities, interfacing to engravers and printers, and reporting tools, the system streamlines operational workflows and provides safe, effective delivery of patient care. Sunquest CoPathPlus helps bridge the gap between volume growth and staffing shortages with solutions for specimen management, routing, and tracking. Additional features include voice recognition, imaging, web access, structured reporting, barcoding, and workflow automation.
Sunquest Information Systems
(877) 239-6337; www.sunquestinfo.com
Manual Cryostat
High-quality frozen sectioning
The Cryostar NX50 from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, Mass, ensures efficient, high-quality frozen sectioning by maintaining sectioning temperature. This manual cryostat incorporates knife cooling and adjustable specimen head temperature for rapid adjustment to meet the temperature requirements of each specimen. The LCD touch screen interface streamlines operation, while icon-driven software lets users adjust parameters simply and quickly to meet the demands of different specimen types. Motorized height adjustment allows the operator to customize the position of the cryochamber for seated or standing operation. A Cold D disinfection system provides rapid decontamination of the cryochamber, preventing exposure to biological pathogens with minimal downtime. A variable-pressure vacutome also delivers wrinkle-free sections by gently stretching the specimen during cutting.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
(781) 622-1000; www.thermofisher.com
Data Mining Solution
Identify sources of laboratory waste
The Viewics Health Insighter (VHI) for Anatomic Pathology (AP) from Viewics Inc, Sunnyvale, Calif, is a software-as-a-service, cloud-based platform that provides targeted data mining and dashboarding solutions, enabling AP laboratory administrators and clinicians to gain key insights into their workload, productivity, and quality. VHI seamlessly mines data from CoPath, PowerPath, SoftPath, and other AP systems along with data from finance, sales, and inventory to monitor and identify sources of laboratory waste. The system functions without day-to-day IT involvement and avoids placing heavy strain on production environments. Out-of-the-box analytics include turnaround times, workload detail, productivity and staffing analyses, technologist productivity, review discrepancies, specimen monitoring, overdue lists, grossing statistics, histology processing, cytology statistics, specimen priority, and accession versus sign-out activity and delinquency.
Viewics Inc
(415) 439-0084; www.viewics.com
Lighted Forceps
Improves specimen visibility
Lighted forceps from Newcomer Supply, Middleton, Wis, ease the identification and location of otherwise undetectable tissue fragments while reducing embedding time. They increase the visibility of specimens during paraffin embedding, allowing for more accurate orientation. Made of German stainless steel, the forceps are submersible and provide light longevity of approximately 20,000 hours. Each kit includes one instrument, a power pack, and a battery charger. The power pack provides enough charge for at least 24 hours of continuous use. For laboratory use only.
Newcomer Supply
(800) 383-7799; www.newcomersupply.com
Pathology Information System
Consolidate clinical information with pathology reports
The Orchard pathology diagnostic information system from Orchard Software, Carmel, Ind, can be utilized as a stand-alone anatomic pathology laboratory information system or a unified system that incorporates clinical and molecular reporting. The comprehensive pathology information system is designed to meet current and future needs in pathology and handle the complexities of clinical, molecular, and pathology testing and reporting. A shared database provides access to the patient’s entire history and enables the consolidation of clinical information with the cytology or pathology report. Image-management tools enable users to link digital images, annotated diagrams, and scanned documents to case worksheets and incorporate them into patient reports. Discrete data fields enhance EHR integration and simplify the process of mining data for evaluations, correlation studies, quality assurance, regulatory, statistical, and other management reports.
Orchard Software
(800) 856-1948; www.orchardsoft.com
GYN Molecular Testing Module
Import and distribute GYN molecular test cases
The GYN molecular testing module from NovoPath, Princeton, NJ, automates the management and reporting of test results such as Candida species, Chlamydia trachomatis, Gardnerella vaginalis, herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis by importing cases and results directly into the NovoPath anatomic pathology software. Molecular tests can be signed out and released in batches or individually. Tailored pathology reports designed specifically for the test type are then automatically distributed to clinicians via NovoPath’s delivery options, which include HL7 interfaces to EMRs, web portal, NovoNotifier download and on-site printing, smartphone apps, email, and fax. The tool improves turnaround times and reduces the likelihood of data entry errors by limiting the number of steps required to release results. When interfaced to molecular instrumentation systems such as Cobas or Panther, the module streamlines lab workflow and allows techs to direct their energies elsewhere.
NovoPath
(732) 329-3209; www.novopath.com
Laboratory Information System
Scalable, modular solution
WebPathLab from WebPathLab, Folsom, Calif, is a web-based, fully scalable modular laboratory information system. The system is suitable for small, start-up laboratories requiring only basic modules as well as large, established laboratories requiring the complete life cycle of laboratory operations. WebPathLab’s modules include online ordering, HL7 interfaces, anatomic pathology, GYN-cytology (with a RapidResults feature), remote printing, auto image uploader, technical component/professional component module, business intelligence, billing module, and online report viewer. Features include 2D barcode generation for slide labels and cassettes, organ maps, granular access control, attachment of images, interface with third-party voice-recognition solutions, seamless interface with microscope cameras and other image-acquisition devices, histology logs, and special procedures logs.
WebPathLab
(916) 932-2462; www.webpathlab.com
Anatomic Pathology Modular LIS
Improved insight into patient condition
WindoPath AP from Psyche Systems Corp, Milford, Mass, is a full-featured anatomic pathology software system with a modular, customizable design adapted to the specific needs of laboratories of all sizes and testing capabilities. The laboratory information system is available as a stand-alone solution or as part of an integrated laboratory suite. The clinical information module allows a pathologist to view all the clinical and anatomic pathology results associated with a particular case for a complete picture of the patient’s condition. Synoptic reporting informs the requesting physician of the nature of the patient’s tumor, while traceable barcoded labeling of specimens reduces lab errors. Other features include e.reports and e.orders for web-based clinician outreach as well as VoxPap interactive voice for Pap cases.
Psyche Systems Corp
(508) 473-1500; www.psychesystems.com
Specimen Fixation Devices
Control the preanalytic process
The FixStation family of standardization products from Milestone Medical, Kalamazoo, Mich, provides accurate control of all steps of the preanalytical process to ensure precise, reliable, and consistent diagnostic assays. Ranging from basic to advanced models, the FixStation line optimizes and documents the patient specimen fixation steps through features that include agitation, temperature control, laboratory-grade materials, a clear user interface, multiple concurrent cassette rack runs, and report generation. The FixStation J is an introductory unit that provides time and room temperature monitoring, while the high-capacity 3RH model includes a stainless steel tank, automatic temperature control of the fixation reagent from room temperature up to 50°C, and built-in stirring to improve fixative flow over the surface of biospecimens. All devices accept the racks utilized by major tissue processor manufacturers.
Milestone Medical
(866) 995-5300; www.milestonemed.com
Robust AP LIS
Case-centric views
PowerPath from Sunquest Information Systems, Tucson, Ariz, is designed to manage anatomic pathology laboratories in hospitals, medical centers, reference labs, and academic facilities. The user interface provides a case-centric view, enabling quick access to requisition data, case history, concurrent cases, and billing information for reduced turnaround times. The system helps produce flexible management reports and outcomes analysis when paired with Microsoft Word, Crystal Reports, Dragon NaturallySpeaking, and Microsoft SQL Server for case transcription, reporting, and database management. Synoptic data resulting tools include CAP cancer protocol worksheets, immunohistochemistry resulting, human papillomavirus resulting, and enhanced outreach reporting. Quality assurance reporting for cytology meets CLIA ’88 and CAP laboratory accreditation program guidelines.
Sunquest Information Systems
(877) 239-6337; www.sunquestinfo.com
