Olympus AU680 analyser now offers fully automated HbA1c assay

A fully automated HbA1c assay has now been introduced for the Olympus AU680 chemistry analyser. This new assay completely eliminates the inconvenience and risk associated with manual pre-treatment for this routinely used blood glucose monitoring test. With high-speed whole blood testing capability, laboratory professionals can attain even faster results and improved efficiencies with the AU680.

The introduction of complete HbA1c testing allows consolidation onto the recently introduced Olympus AU680 analyser, making it not only cost-effective but also able to streamline workflow with faster repeat and reflex testing. Optimised to meet the latest performance and standardisation requirements, the addition of the new HbA1c assay enables the AU680 system to deliver outstanding, fully automated performance for diabetes monitoring.

With fully automated HbA1c testing, the AU680 offers the ability to run diabetic clinics on a single platform. “By putting the HbA1c's on the main “work horse” analyser platform, they can be performed at the same time as other routine tests on diabetics are run,” explains Dr. Peter Szillat, Commercial Marketing Manager, Immunodiagnostics: “Therefore the 'whole' package of results is ready at the same time for the clinic or clinician, meaning less delay in return of results for the patient.”

With increased on-board reagents (up to 63 tests), reduced sample volumes, user-defined functions and flexible operation capabilities, combined with the recognised Olympus AU series’ standardisation and reliability, laboratories can utilise technician time effectively whilst benefiting from a cost-efficient system. In the future, the open analyser design of the AU680 will offer the advantage of direct sampling to third party track systems.

Capable of performing up to 1200 tests per hour the AU680 covers Olympus’ broad 125-test menu that includes general chemistries, ISEs, special chemistries, TDMs and DATs. The system also accommodates paediatric sampling and can perform automated pre-dilution and immediate STAT processing without workload interruption.