SECTION 6
ANALYZER AND LABORATORY
AUTOMATION SYSTEM
MANAGEMENT
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
When you complete this section, you will be able to:
• Define and identify the components of a Laboratory Automation System
• Describe how middleware integrates and communicates with Laboratory Automation Systems
• Gain an understanding of the capabilities of middleware in managing automated analyzers and
Laboratory Automation Systems
• Recognize the benefits of Laboratory Automation Systems
27 LEARNING GUIDE: MIDDLEWARE USE & OPERATION
SECTION 6 – ANALYZER AND LABORATORY
AUTOMATION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
Automation is a critical part of the Core Laboratory’s operations. Given the various operational
challenges facing the laboratory, the productivity gains that automation offers through speed and
efficiency are in high demand. Holistic middleware applications can help manage analyzers and
laboratory automation track systems, automating tasks and processes.16
Middleware with robust analyzer management capabilities enables the laboratory to manage and
monitor performance of analyzer systems from a central location. For example:
• Provides readiness status and lists current work in progress of connected analyzers.
• Provides insights into connected analyzers enabling access to actionable information for
real-time management of performance.
• Enables remote access to analyzers to allow for the enabling or disabling of specific analyzers.
• Schedules maintenance tasks for laboratory equipment such as calibration, preventative
maintenance or other user-defined events per the laboratory’s or equipment manufacturer’s
standard operating procedures.
In addition to providing a wide range of analyzer management capabilities, some middleware
providers offer more comprehensive solutions that can integrate and manage Laboratory
Automation Systems (LAS) or automation track systems. A Laboratory Automation System
is designed to automate pre-analytical and post-analytical processing and sample handling,
consolidating multiple analyzers and sample processing equipment into a unified system in the
clinical laboratory.16 LAS offer productivity gains through flexibility and efficiency in sample
management that can help laboratories adapt to changing demands in sample throughput.
The implementation of a LAS with a robust middleware solution can help laboratories achieve
their operational productivity goals. Considering the total testing process, an efficient automation
system offers increased testing capacity, improved turnaround time and reduction in human error.17
Integration of a LAS, middleware and automated Hematology analyzers can help the laboratory
realize significant cost savings while enabling the staff to focus on the true exceptions and more
complex tasks that will ultimately improve the quality of patient care and lead to faster, more
actionable results.
Through central equipment management, middleware can help laboratory staff monitor and
control operations of their LAS. Some of the automation system monitoring capabilities provided
by middleware solutions may include:
• Visual indications to monitor the status of all automation modules, analyzers and assays.
• Proper routing of samples to the correct automation modules and analyzers, and
the ability to perform automated reruns, reflex and dilution testing.
• Ability to automatically enable or disable analyzers or assays.
• Provision of detailed information to the operator on sample exceptions and contents of
output racks.
LEARNING GUIDE: MIDDLEWARE USE & OPERATION 28
In addition to managing the processing of orders and returning results received from the connected
instruments through the LIS, the middleware controls the routing of tubes or samples to the
various modules of the LAS. The sample routing capability provides instructions to the LAS to
determine the path a sample must follow as it travels around the track. The routing of samples on
a LAS track is managed by rules defined in the middleware. Typically, a laboratory provides inputs
to a middleware Informatics Specialist to define routing rules consistent with the laboratory’s
needs. The middleware can also handle load balancing to ensure sample processing and testing
are managed efficiently at the different modules on the track, including the connected analyzers.
A comprehensive LAS may include the following sample processing modules in addition to the
connected analytical instruments:
• Input Output Module – provides a loading and unloading point for samples using racks
• Centrifuge Module – automates centrifugation of samples
• Decapper Module – removes tube caps
• Sealer Module – seals tubes after analytical processing
• Storage and Retrieval Module – stores sample tubes in a temperature-controlled, protected
environment
• Desealer Module – removes the seal from sample tubes
• Track Module – controls the movement of sample tubes in their individual sample carriers;
sample carriers transport tubes around the track to the different modules
• Interface to connected analytical instruments – provides the path to move the tubes to
the analyzer
• Aliquoter Module – generates secondary tubes from primary sample tubes
The typical steps in the management of orders and results between the middleware and the
Laboratory Automation System include:
1. The LIS sends the order to the middleware.
2. The middleware sends the order to the LAS.
3. The LAS routes the tube to the appropriate analyzer.
4. The analyzer runs the test and sends the test to the middleware.
Note: If sample requires rerun, dilution or reflex, the middleware processes the appropriate
order messages for the analyzer.
5. The middleware sends the results to the LIS.
Orders and Sample Routing
Orders Instructions
Results Results
Sample Status Sample Status
LIS Middleware Laboratory Automation System
Figure 6.1 Communication diagram showing orders and results flow between middleware and the Laboratory Automation
System
Now complete the section Quiz.
29 LEARNING GUIDE: MIDDLEWARE USE & OPERATION
