In 2015, the OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center Laboratory installed an Abbott a3600 automated track system in conjunction with a series of Architect analyzers. This complete system allows for greater throughput of specimens, with reduced handling and decreased turn-around time.

Specimen processing and handling are minimized, as all specimens that have a barcode label affixed are loaded onto the track and automatically routed to the appropriate piece of equipment for analysis. 

Routine, manual tasks, such as centrifuging, creating aliquots, and even storage and retrieval are now automated, increasing efficiency, while minimizing errors, leading to improved patient care. As of June 2016, the one year anniversary of the track, more than 1,369,000 specimens had been processed on the track.  That's more than 114,000 specimens per month!  Approximately 72,000 specimens were automatically retrieved and had tests added on.

This totally modular system consolidates multiple instruments into a unified workstation, where software provides workload and sample-order management, along with instrument operational status monitoring. 

Providers who have EMR connectivity get results automatically pushed through the LIS interface, while those that don’t have electronic means get results called and faxed when appropriate. 

Below are some common test panels that are performed via the track:

Common Test Panels