Collaboration Fuels Core Lab Equipment Project Across System

To engage our  UMass Memorial Health caregivers on the journey to become an integrated health care system, we need to keep them informed of our progress. 

This piece highlights teams at laboratories across all hospitals who are collaborating and innovating as one to bring about the latest upgrades to ensure the best patient care. 

Integration of laboratory operations across UMass Memorial Health was jump-started during the pandemic when the first standardized rapid COVID-19 test was established by utilizing the same equipment systemwide. Since then, teams at all laboratories across the system collaborate and innovate as one to bring about the latest upgrades.

A highlight of this effort is the New Core Laboratory Equipment Project, which is focused on upgrading existing laboratory equipment and enhancing automation of processes across the system. 

“We know that 70% of medical treatment decisions rely on lab results so it’s imperative we have the best resources available to provide the best data to our caregivers,” shared Jeannette Le, Associate Vice President of Clinical and Anatomical Pathology at  UMass Memorial Medical Center . “Lab teams from across the system once again came together to decide which equipment would best support our collective commitment to high quality care.” 

As a result, a new, technologically advanced hematology platform launched in January to align the Medical Center,  UMass Memorial HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital and UMass Memorial Health - Marlborough Hospital labs. The technology was already in place at  UMass Memorial Health - Harrington and the Barre Lab. Also, a digital hematology microscopy tool was implemented to efficiently evaluate cells. This platform allows caregivers to easily share digital images so they can quickly collaborate to determine diagnoses and permits lab teams the opportunity to back up each other when additional resources are needed. It also serves as an educational tool providing a standardized system for identification of diseases. 

In June, the existing core chemistry analyzers were replaced on our Medical Center’s Memorial Campus and the lab at Biotech One, and the Fitchburg Campus of HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital. Marlborough Hospital’s lab was updated mid-July, and the Leominster Campus of HealthAlliance-Clinton is slated for a chemistry analyzer upgrade in September. The technology is already in place at Harrington Hospital. Once fully implemented, chemistry tests at all hospitals within UMass Memorial Health will be aligned.

At the end of October new automation capabilities will be implemented at the Biotech One lab to increase efficiencies, and plans are underway to renovate the entire lab on the Clinton Campus of HeathAlliance-Clinton, including updating the chemistry analyzers. 

Patients will benefit greatly from the upgrades to lab services. “The new equipment will improve workflow in the lab and testing turnaround times so that we can provide better and quicker results to assist providers in the care of their patients,” shared Cirilo Monsanto, Director, Laboratory, Leominster Campus of HealthAlliance-Clinton. 

“This is a shining example of solid collaboration around decisions. Together we are improving patient care by managing contracts, leveraging our purchasing power and improving inventory management as a system. Plus, we’re standardizing test ordering, reference ranges and critical values, so no matter where a caregiver reviews test results, it’s consistent,” noted Alice Shakman, Senior Vice President, Clinical Services, Medical Center.

But there’s more! Labs across the system have joined together to show their commitment to green initiatives by donating surplus hematology equipment and supplies. According to Jessica Gatulis, Director of Clinical Lab Operations at the Medical Center, UMass Memorial was of the highest donors in 2023 to Partners for World Health, which supports communities in need with medical supplies. That’s a triple win. It’s a win for our laboratories working together, a win for our caregivers, and a win for our patients and community.