Lab Upgrades-Matching GOAL REACHED! $40,000 raised by the community!
Your Foundation is raising money to bring critical blood analyzer upgrades to the laboratory at Squamish General Hospital.
Thanks to the generosity of Greg Gardner GM you have an opportunity to double the impact of your donation to this worthwhile project.
If you donate today Greg Gardner GM will match donations up to $35,000.
The upgrades will provide a more accurate and faster measurement of the white blood cell count which is often reduced in cancer patients. The equipment will also have increased sensitivity to detect abnormal cells.
Specialists will be able to view the results remotely in real time and make more timely decisions about patients’ treatment.
We thank Greg Gardner GM for their generosity we thank you for your ongoing support of the Squamish Hospital Foundation.
Donations like yours are instrumental in ensuring the Sea to Sky community has access to local, high-quality, comprehensive healthcare.
Click below to DONATE TODAY! Specify LAB in the donation notes!
Squamish General Hospital Lab Request 2021
The Sysmex XN-550
The Cellavision DC-1 analyzer and associated software complements the Sysmex XN-550 CN
(The Sysmex XN-550-CN would act as a replacement for the Sysmex XT2000 analyzer installed in November, 2008.)
Total estimate for lab project $133,165.
VCH has committed to cost share $50% VCH will cover the ongoing maintenance cost once the SHF has completed the funding request.
· IMITS set up - $20,000- this is a VCH IT department costs. A one-time set up cost- future maintenance would be covered by VCH.
· Below total is $113,165 pre tax.
Sysmex XN-550 CN – $46,000
Cellavision DC-1 -- $40,000
Sunquest interface for XN 550 install and one-time maintenance fee -- $11,557
Sunquest interface for DC-1 install and one-time maintenance fee -- $11,557
Data innovations DC-1 connex and one-time maintenance fee -- $4, 051
(The Data Innovations Instrument Manager (DI) is a Data Innovations computer program which is used to manage data coming from the XN-450 550 analyzers and sends that data to the Laboratory Information System)
Hematology analyzers are used to run tests on blood samples determining such things as; complete blood counts, reticulocyte analysis, and hemoglobin levels; see definitions below
· The complete blood count (CBC) is a group of tests that evaluate the cells that circulate in blood, including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets (PLTs). The CBC can evaluate your overall health and detect a variety of diseases and conditions, such as infections, anemia and leukemia.
· A reticulocyte count is used to determine the number and/or percentage of reticulocytes in the blood to help evaluate conditions that affect red blood cells (RBCs), such as anemia or bone marrow disorders
· Hemoglobin is a protein in the red blood cells which carries oxygen from the lungs to all tissues and organs in the body. It also returns carbon dioxide from the tissues and organs back to the lungs to be expelled with each breath we take. Patients with low hemoglobin levels may require a blood transfusion- this can be treated at the SGH lab.
· The instrument improves the reliability of results when the white blood cell (WBC) count is lower than normal which is commonly found in cancer patients undergoing treatment. During treatments these patients would typically have their WBC analyzed weekly to determine treatment. Having quick, accurate results improves patient care.
The Sysmex XN-550 has an improved method for counting cells found in body fluids such as Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF). Patients with Meningitis may have their CSF collected and sent to the Lab for a cell count to confirm the diagnosis. Having an automated cell count method for CSF allows the physician to begin treatment as soon as possible.
The technological improvements boasts an improved sensitivity to abnormal CBC ( complete blood count) sample flagging, comparable to the analyzers in use at Vancouver General Hospital, Lion’s Gate Hospital, Richmond Hospital, St Paul’s Hospital and BC Children’s Hospital. Improved sensitivity to detect abnormal cells which currently are identified by preparing a manual blood smear; staining it and observing it visually using a microscope. The improved sensitivity of the instrument will reduce the number of manual blood smears needing to be prepared and reviewed. The model also has an on board user-defined auto-repeat and auto-reflex rules that save technologist time and optimize workflow. This will allow the Lab Technologists to release the test results quicker, improving treatment response time for patients.
The Cellavision DC-1 analyzer and associated software complements the Sysmex XN-550 CN analyzer by scanning blood films and categorizing the White Blood Cells (WBC) based on their properties. This piece of equipment would aid in performing a manual WBC Differential and assist in identifying immature WBC by comparing the cells to those from other blood films stored in a database. The software also stores images of WBC which may be shared with other Laboratories within the VCH network. This would expedite the review of blood films by a Hematopathologist as it would be available in real time instead of physically sending a glass blood film slide which currently takes many hours. Giving lab techs at SGH the ability to compare and view images/samples in a data base broadens the scope of service.
By reducing the number of manual processing steps, test results will be released to the providers quicker. Providers will be able to make diagnostic decisions sooner which will enhance patient care.
(The Sysmex XN-550-CN would act as a replacement for the Sysmex XT2000 analyzer installed in November, 2008.)