| Abstract: | Akita University Hospital was established in 1971. Since then, we have been introducing automated analysis systems to deal with rapidly increasing tasks and demand in the clinical laboratory. In 1988, in collaboration with Hitachi Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan), we developed an automated analysis system composed of an automatic serum separating-aliquoting system connected to analysis systems through an automatic transport system. In 1998, the systems were integrated, enabling 97.6% of samples to be analyzed automatically. With this integrated system, information including the name of the patient, code number, age, gender, department, test to be performed and so on are all encoded on the label of the sampling tubes which are automatically labeled and sorted at the sampling division. The laboratory automation system succeeded in saving labor and time, yet there are still some areas that need improving. Namely, 1) minimizing the quantity of the sample required for analysis, 2) speeding up of the transportation, and 3) down-sizing the system. The development of less invasive, more compact and speedier analysis systems will make the clinical laboratory mobile or portable in the near future and will expand the working field of the clinical laboratory to remote areas and home-nursing services in the community. |
