Transforming Emergency Care in Chile with HemoScreen CBC Testing

Chile’s healthcare system is characterized by a mix of public and private providers, with approximately 78% of the population enrolled in the public insurance system, Fondo Nacional de Salud (FONASA), as of 2021 (OECD). Primary care centers, or Centros de Salud Familiar (CESFAM), are the foundation of the public health system, supported by a network of urgent care clinics designed to deliver timely interventions and reduce the burden on hospital emergency departments.

Among these clinics are Servicios de Alta Resolutividad (SAR), community-level emergency services established to provide rapid diagnosis and treatment for non-life-threatening conditions. SAR centers are typically in high-demand urban areas and offer extended hours, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory support. However, many face limitations due to logistical delays in sample processing and limited on-site laboratory capacity. Blood tests, particularly Complete Blood Counts (CBCs), often require transport to centralized labs, leading to delays in clinical decision-making.

These bottlenecks are particularly problematic in urgent care scenarios involving patients with suspected infections, anemia, or acute inflammatory conditions, where rapid diagnostic insight is critical. The need for efficient, point-of-care diagnostic tools that can provide reliable results without burdening central labs is urgent.

SAR Conchalí

At SAR Conchalí, a community urgent care center in Santiago, integrating the HemoScreen point-of-care CBC analyzer has significantly enhanced diagnostic capabilities. The introduction of the HemoScreen analyzer marked a turning point. As stated by the SAR Conchalí medical staff: “The recent implementation of the HemoScreen device in our Emergency Unit has represented a significant advancement in the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of hematological diagnostics in emergency settings.”

Before HemoScreen’s implementation, SAR Conchalí faced challenges common to many urgent care settings: delayed laboratory results, limited on-site diagnostic tools, and reliance on external laboratories for CBC testing. These factors contributed to prolonged patient wait times, delayed clinical decisions, and increased referrals to higher-level care facilities.

HemoScreen is the most intuitive FDA-cleared, CE-marked, and TGA-approved 5-part differential CBC analyzer designed for point-of-care use. Utilizing the proprietary Viscoelastic Focusing (VEF) technology, it delivers highly accurate results from a single drop of blood, all within a compact, cartridge-based system that requires no calibration, liquid reagents, or lab infrastructure. Test results are available in less than 5 minutes, directly at the patient’s side.

Unlike traditional hematology analyzers, which rely on complex maintenance procedures and require trained lab technicians, HemoScreen is designed for use by general clinical staff, making it ideal for SAR clinics and other frontline healthcare environments. The intuitive interface and self-contained cartridge also eliminate contamination risks and operational errors common in more complex systems.

Impact on Clinical Workflow and Patient Care

Since adopting HemoScreen, SAR Conchalí has observed notable improvements:

• Rapid Diagnostics: CBC results are available in under 10 minutes, expediting clinical decision-making. This improvement directly enhances patient throughput and reduces time spent in the clinic.
• Faster Decision-Making: “Immediate access to results has facilitated patient categorization, care prioritization, and more efficient referrals,” the staff reported. Rapid results enable clinicians to act quickly, particularly in cases of febrile illnesses, suspected sepsis, or hematologic anomalies.
• Improved Outcomes for High-Risk Patients: For patients with suspected anemia, chronic disease flare-ups, or signs of systemic inflammation, early access to CBC data has helped clinicians intervene before complications escalate.
• Enhanced Staff Efficiency: Clinical staff have praised the impact on workflow, noting that access to “objective, immediate data allows for better resource allocation and reduces unnecessary referrals.”

Operational and Economic Benefits

Beyond the clinical improvements, the implementation has delivered substantial operational and financial benefits:

• Cost Savings: By reducing dependence on centralized laboratories and cutting unnecessary referrals, SAR Conchalí has realized indirect cost savings, freeing up resources to focus on patient care. These results align with broader goals of the Chilean Ministry of Health, which is focused on optimizing primary care delivery while managing public healthcare expenditure.
• Lower Maintenance Overhead: Traditional hematology analyzers are costly to maintain, requiring ongoing calibration, quality control, and skilled technicians. In contrast, HemoScreen’s cartridge-based model requires no routine maintenance, reducing overhead and improving uptime.
• Strategic Investment: “This kind of investment in high-efficiency diagnostic technology is a cost-effective strategy,” notes the clinical staff, “especially in high-demand environments like urgent care centers.” These outcomes align with international models of decentralized diagnostics aimed at improving care access and system sustainability.

Alignment with Broader Healthcare Goals

The deployment of HemoScreen supports Chile’s national goal of expanding diagnostic capabilities within primary and urgent care settings, as outlined in the Modelo de Atención Integral en Salud (MAIS), a framework promoting person-centered, technology-enhanced healthcare delivery. “The incorporation of HemoScreen strengthens diagnostic capacity with advanced technology, centered on community needs,” the clinic states.

The implementation of HemoScreen at SAR Conchalí exemplifies how point-of-care diagnostics can revolutionize emergency care delivery. By providing rapid, accurate CBC results on-site, the device enhances clinical efficiency, improves patient outcomes, and reduces operational costs. As Chile continues to advance its healthcare infrastructure, technologies like HemoScreen will be instrumental in meeting the growing demand for accessible and efficient medical services.

Acknowledgments

We extend our sincere gratitude to Edison Cerda, Technical Director, Conchali Communal Laboratory, and the team at SAR Conchali for their commitment to improving healthcare access and quality for the Conchali community.

(*) Please note: PixCell Medical is not associated with SAR Conchali, nor did it take part in evaluating or selecting the device. SAR Conchali had independently evaluated and selected HemoScreen, and purchased the device in full. To the best of our knowledge, there is no conflict of interest in the opinions expressed above.

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