The central emergency department of the Klinikum Ernst von Bergmann is exactly 111 metres and one floor away from the central laboratory. Annually, almost 200,000 patient samples are sent from the emergency department to the laboratory, processed and analysed, and the results are transmitted to the emergency department digitally for further appraisal. Transport of the patient samples between the two areas is a central element of the pre-analytical process. A direct, fast and reliable connection is of the essence.

In the interest of continual improvement of patient care and in order to reduce waiting times, the Tempus600® transport system was installed in the clinic at the beginning of August. In just one week, tubes with an internal diameter of only 2.5 centimetres were mounted on ceilings and walls over a distance of 111 metres, and connection points for insertion and removal of the samples were created. This automated transport system now conveys the patient samples from the emergency department to the central laboratory in just 8.347 seconds. Previously, a courier service needed on average 7 minutes for the same distance.

“The transport of laboratory samples plays an essential role in ensuring fast and reliable diagnostics. The new transport system ensures safe transport directly into our laboratory, and thus represents a significant improvement in the pre-analytical process,” says Dr. med. Ines Vogler, Medical Director of Labor Potsdam, Diagnostik Ernst von Bergmann.

Hans-Ulrich Schmidt, spokesman for the management of Klinikum Ernst von Bergmann, adds: “Formerly, emergency department personnel first had to pack the test tubes securely for transport. Today, they can place the tubes directly in the Tempus600® system. From there, an air current transports the tubes to the receiving unit in the laboratory in just a few seconds. This saves time, which can now be invested in patient care.”