Technidata has launched version 13.41 of its TDHistoCyto software solution for anatomic pathology laboratories. This version has a new interface and additional functionality that allows laboratories to benefit from real paperless processing. Patient safety is enhanced, the risk of errors reduced and process traceability streamlined. Laboratories gain in efficiency and productivity, and the workflow is optimised.
Rapid Process Tracking is one of the main features of this new version. Combined with the use of barcode readers in the laboratory, TDHistoCyto now provides comprehensive, and fully integrated, workflow traceability.
"The technical preparation stages in the lab are labour-intensive. Other stages have been computerised by the laboratory information system (LIS), but preparation of the blocks and slides often still uses paper worksheets, or third-party solutions that add complexity to the computer system. The new TDHistoCyto version includes our fully integrated Rapid Process Tracking feature. The ability to computerise and track the preparation stage not only makes specimen identification more secure, thus reducing the risk of errors, it also speeds up the turnaround time for blocks and slides, and simplifies information searches. In fact, users can know at any time who did what and when. The solution runs on touch screens, again making the workflow more streamlined,” explains François Tourres from Technidata.
By providing full traceability of the technical stages, TDHistoCyto also helps in the laboratory accreditation process.
Statistics and monitoring of laboratory activities
The data from the preparation stages is managed by the statistics tool, another feature available with version 13.41. "The statistics tool allows laboratories to track and control their activities efficiently. They can define customised indicators, and carry out multidimensional extractions easily", adds Tourres.
An integrated tissue bank
The final innovation in this version is an integrated tissue bank within TDHistoCyto. "Our solutions are highly interoperable, so TDHistoCyto was already able to interface with tissue banks and other third-party biobanks. With an integrated tissue bank, however, laboratories can independently qualify and store their specimens for further diagnostic or research needs. This is increasingly important in the age of precision medicine", concludes Tourres.
