In Partnership with Beckman Coulter Diagnostics PCL Alverno Unveils New Fully Automated Laboratory

19 Mar 2015
Sarah Thomas
Associate Editor

Industry news

PCL Alverno, a full service, community-based medical laboratory, in partnership with Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, unveiled its new, fully automated laboratory solutions at the Alverno Central Laboratory facility in Hammond, Ind.

With growth and expansion as key priorities for Alverno, increasing from 18 to 25 patient service center locations across Indiana and Illinois in just 18 months, and adding over 250 clients and significant volume, the laboratory organization has undergone massive transformation—implementing state-of-the-art laboratory technology and positioning itself to be among the most innovative labs in the Midwest.

“The new laboratory demonstrates how partnership with the right clinical diagnostic manufacturer can lead to success,” said Sam Terese, President and CEO, PCL Alverno. “We have not just overhauled our labs with new laboratory technology solutions; we have also worked very closely with Beckman Coulter to apply deep process advancements to ensure we are equipped to offer improved levels of service to patients and physician satisfaction.”

PCL Alverno Clinical Laboratories awarded Beckman Coulter Diagnostics the new installation agreement in February 2014. Processing more than 23 million tests per year, and dedicated to improving the quality of patient care, PCL Alverno was recently named a leader in innovation in Indiana and is the largest microbiology lab in the Midwest. And with Beckman Coulter’s recent acquisition of the Siemens microbiology business, the Alverno laboratory now utilizes Beckman Coulter’s diagnostics solutions across all disciplines—including chemistry, immunoassay, hematology, urinalysis, automation, information technology and microbiology.

“We are impressed by Alverno and their quick adoption and implementation of Beckman Coulter instruments and the Danaher Business Systems (DBS) we shared with them to enhance their daily work and productivity,” said John Nosenzo, senior vice president of Global Customer Operations, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics. “Now that the lab implementation is behind them, we look forward to a continued partnership that allows us the opportunity to help Alverno advance and optimize their clinical laboratories.”

With corporate headquarters in Hammond, Ind., PCL Alverno is a joint venture of two distinct Catholic healthcare systems: Presence Health (IL) and Franciscan Alliance (IN). PCL Alverno provides laboratory services for 26 hospitals in Indiana and Illinois and has a large reference lab for outreach work.

About Alverno

PCL Alverno is a full service, community-based medical laboratory performing over 750 tests in both clinical and anatomic pathology. Its innovative, state-of-the-art laboratory is the only free-standing, local reference lab in its service area. PCL Alverno offers the convenience and personal customer service of a local laboratory with the sophistication of a large reference laboratory. PCL Alverno's pathologists are part of the pathology practice of Pathology Consultants, Inc.

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Data AnalysisData analysis hardware and software is available to make data processing straight-forward yet powerful. Data software can be used for math and stats, technical graphing and image analysis. In addition, software is available for specific data analysis of electrophoresis, densitometry, ELISA and DNA sequencing.HematologyIn Haematology / Hematology, complete blood cell counts (or full blood counts) are obtained using automated blood count analyzers to enumerate blood cell types.  Hematology also encompasses haemostasis and coagulation, thrombophilia and hemophilia, plasma viscosity and ESR analysis, hemoglobinopathies, cell morphology and haematinic measurement.ImmunologyImmunological techniques measure and characterize immune responses. Immunology kits and analysis systems often use techniques such as ELISA, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunodiffusion assays, Immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Immunologists use equipment such as flow Cytometers, plate readers, plate washers and fluorescent microscopes.Robotic WorkstationsRobotic workstations are automated platforms enabling the user to perform high-throughput, multi-application processes, from sample preparation tasks such as PCR set-up, DNA purification and NGS library preparation, to integrated sample prep and analysis workstations. Automation makes processes consistent, fast, precise and fully walk-away. Find the best robotic workstations in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Clinical ChemistryBiochemistry (or clinical chemistry) involves the analysis of bodily fluids using chemical tests. Techniques used include HPLC, chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunochemical, electrophoresis, turbidometric / spectrophotometric assay, MRI and ISE analysis. Tests are often carried out on plasma or serum but urine (urinalysis) and fecal specimens are also processed.Clinical GeneticsMolecular Genetics covers the analysis of hereditary genetic disease and chromosomal abnormalities. Genetics can be analysed using DNA, RNA, and protein microarrays, PCR, RT PCR and DNA sequencing. Genetic equipment includes genetic workstations, thermal cyclers, cooling blocks and electrophoresis products. Diagnostic kits are used for DNA / RNA extraction and purification.Clinical MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.ImmunoassayImmunoassays are laboratory tests that utilize antibody-antigen interactions to detect specific substances. They are widely used in diagnostics for detecting diseases, drug testing, and environmental monitoring. These assays offer rapid, sensitive, and precise detection of biomarkers, making them invaluable in clinical and research labs. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to compare immunoassay systems, read user reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Hematology SolutionsHematology solutions involve diagnostic tests and equipment used to analyze blood samples and diagnose blood disorders such as anemia, leukemia, and hemophilia. These tools include automated full blood count analyzers, reagents, and digital morphology systems. Explore hematology solutions in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.UrineThe analysis of urine is important in medicinal, anti-doping, forensic and life sciences applications. The ability to evaluate what someone has ingested through their urine enables fast detection and diagnosis of certain illnesses.