6 Ways Cancer Infusion Centers are Reducing Wait Times with Advanced CBC Analyzers

  • PixCell Medical
  • 13 Dec 2023

For cancer patients, a crucial consideration before undergoing chemotherapy is ensuring their bodies are prepared to handle it. Since a low white blood cell count would render them vulnerable to infections, cancer infusion centers can’t risk overlooking this critical step.

Traditionally, this means oncology patients must have their blood drawn, wait for results, and then become eligible for the treatment and the pharmacist is ordered to prepare the drug, elongating an already tense waiting period. However, same-day point-of-care CBC analyzers enable patients to get tested and begin their treatment immediately.

Let’s delve into how these cutting-edge devices are revolutionizing patient care and alleviating some of the anxiety associated with treatment at their cancer infusion center.

1. Faster Analysis Times

One of the most significant advantages of modern CBC analyzers over their earlier counterparts is their enhanced speed. With faster processing capabilities, these machines can swiftly analyze samples and deliver results quickly. Yet due to their complexity, they can only be used in labs and by trained technicians which makes the time from blood draw to result long.

In the context of a cancer infusion center, a swift diagnosis means quicker decision-making regarding patient treatment. Instead of requiring a patient to wait over an hour for results or schedule another appointment to begin or continue treatment, they might be able to receive their infusion almost immediately. In addition to being a better patient experience, this can ease some administrative burdens during scheduling and open up new slots to accept more patients.

In the case of the HemoScreen from PixCell Medical, oncologists can get the necessary results back in seven minutes or less.

2. Automated Sample Handling

In any busy medical environment, manual processes can lead to delays. Automated sample handling built into advanced CBC analyzers reduces the need for manual intervention, speeding up the process while minimizing the chance of human error.

Especially for cancer infusion centers affected by the medical technician shortage, automating part of the process can free up staff resources. By eliminating these bottlenecks, patients can get their results and subsequent treatments without unnecessary delays.

3. Improved Accuracy

As medical technology advances, so does its precision and accuracy. Along with that improved accuracy comes more trust in the results and improved patient outcomes.

Even highly complex blood tests, which have typically been limited to high-end labs, can now be performed right at the patient’s side with comparable results. HemoScreen is the only CBC analyzer FDA-approved for point-of-care, which allows for accurate results in just a few minutes.

On a similar note, improved analysis based on AI-assisted machine vision has been shown to reduce the frequency of false positives and thus reduce reflex testing. The increased specificity translates into significant time savings for both patients and oncologists since the manual microscopy review may take several hours and in many cases is unavailable at the location where the patient receives care.

There’s no need to calibrate or clean the instrument between tests and most of QC is done automatically, allowing oncologists to quickly get the results they need and begin the infusion.

Having a comprehensive IQCP in place reduces the risk of errors and inspection failures, while also reducing the overall quality control burden.

4. Integrated System

Integration is the future of healthcare since it can make medical practices more organized and efficient. Modern CBC analyzers can seamlessly integrate with other hospital and clinic IT systems, allowing test results to instantaneously upload to a patient’s electronic medical record.

This immediate transfer of information allows the treating physician or nurse to access critical data points as soon as they’re available, expediting treatment decisions and overall wait times. It can also keep data organized and standardized, making it faster and easier for care providers to access medical histories during future visits.

5. Decreased Maintenance Time

As with all high-end medical instruments, maintenance is essential for proper functionality. However, newer CBC analyzer models such as HemoScreen are designed with efficiency in mind.

Since HemoScreen does not require any external reagents, there is no need for frequent maintenance or recalibration. This minimizes downtime while freeing up staff to focus their attention elsewhere. Tests can be run back to back, reducing patient wait times at a busy cancer infusion center.

HemoScreen is also qualified for an Individualized Quality Control Plan (IQCP), which can further decrease the maintenance time. CAP guidelines require multiple daily checks for hematology analyzers, but an IQCP for HemoScreen reduces that to just once every 30 days.

6. User-Friendly Interfaces

Even with automatic processing and infrequent device maintenance, there will always be a human element to patient care.

Modern CBC analyzers with intuitive, user-friendly interfaces simplify the process for staff. This enables oncologists to operate these devices efficiently, without the need to constantly refer to user manuals or seek help from other specialized technicians. This ease of use contributes to reduced wait times in cancer infusion centers by speeding up the process and reducing human error.

Reduce Wait Times at Your Cancer Infusion Center

As patients grapple with a stressful and vulnerable time in their lives, reducing wait times and providing a better quality of care offer crucial relief. At the same time, the improved efficiency of advanced CBC analyzers can free up cancer infusion centers to treat more patients in less time.

HemoScreen by PixCell Medical delivers lab-quality results in just 5 minutes or less, allowing oncologists to review a patient’s CBC with 5-part WBC differential and determine readiness for chemotherapy without delay. HemoScreen is easy to use and requires no calibration or maintenance, which frees up staff to spend more time with patients.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional seeking the best for your patients or a decision-maker in a medical facility, embracing advanced CBC analyzers like HemoScreen can make a tangible difference. Explore the clinical evidence or contact us today to learn more.

 

(*) Please note: training must be defined by local, state and federal regulations. In the USA, training is defined for CLIA moderate complexity devices.