AccuMed Reports Significant Impact of Automated Cytopathology System
PR Newswire - November 26, 1997 13:04
ACMI %HEA V%PRN P%PRN
Detroit Medical Center Sees Major Productivity Gain
CHICAGO, Nov. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- AccuMed International, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ACMI) today released results of a study on implementation of the
AccuMed Cytopathology System at DMC University Laboratories in Detroit, MI.
The study shows a significant gain in productivity of cervical cytology, or
Pap, screening, including an increase of over 17% in screening performance and
a reduction of up to 82% in the time required to complete the entire testing
process.
DMC University Laboratories, a consolidated clinical laboratory that
serves the hospitals within Detroit Medical Center and supports the teaching
and research programs at Wayne State University, has recently completed a
major implementation of the Company's AcCell(TM) System, a fully-automated
support system for the human screening of cervical cytology specimens. The
laboratory has 19 AcCell workstations, which are connected to a network and
interfaced to the DMC Laboratory Information System, in place for its
cytotechnologists, cytopathologists, and the cytotechnology training program.
The study was undertaken under the direction of Latha Pisharodi, M.D.,
Director of Cytopathology at DMC University Laboratories.
The AcCell System was selected by DMC because it supports quality
screening and aggressive risk-management procedures. The institution also
expected benefits from the streamlining of the screening process, including
improved productivity and shortened turn-around time (the time it takes to
perform the test and report results to the doctor and patient). Today's
report shows turn-around time has dropped from an average of 5.7 days in mid-
1996 to under 24 hours today for "normal" test results and within 48 hours for
other cases. Doctor Pisharodi commented, "The initial results from a
quantitative analysis of the impact of implementing the AccuMed system and
approach are exciting because they show demonstratable quality and cost
benefits for both patients and health care providers. We are very pleased to
see such excellent results so quickly and we look forward to further
implementation of other aspects of the system and the completion of additional
studies."
Peter P. Gombrich, Chairman and CEO of AccuMed, expressed his pleasure at
early results of the study: "We are extremely proud to see such excellent
results, particularly at DMC. This laboratory represents a unique blending of
the high-quality laboratory testing you expect from a teaching institution and
the cost-competitive environment generally associated with a commercial
laboratory. Further benefit studies are underway at DMC and other
laboratories as well, and we expect even further benefits to be reported,
especially when the TracCell(TM) 2000 Slide Mapping System is implemented."
The AcCell Cytopathology System is a family of technology-driven products
that support the human screening process. The system's cornerstone is the
AcCell 2000 computer-assisted microscope workstation, fully supported by the
AcCell DMS (Data Management System). Other integrated components of the
system include SpeciFind(TM), a front-end data entry and slide labeling system
that works in the physician's office where the slide is generated, and the
TracCell(TM) 2000 Slide Mapping System, a fully-automated slide system that
guides the human through microscope screening of each slide. The TracCell
2000 device received FDA clearance for marketing in August 1997. DMC's early
results include only AcCell workstations and the DMS.
Initial impact of the AcCell System installation is being evaluated by a
team of AccuMed and DMC staff members and a full report is slated for
presentation by Dr. Pisharodi in March 1998 at the International Conference on
Automation of the Cytology and Histology Laboratories in Chicago, sponsored by
the International Academy of Cytology.
AccuMed International, Inc., headquartered in Chicago, is a global
advanced diagnostics and information solutions company. AccuMed is an
emerging leader in integrated, technology-driven systems that accommodate the
clinical laboratory's need to maintain quality while achieving more cost
effective operation. The company manufactures and markets a full line of
proprietary, FDA-cleared bacterial disposable microbiology tests and
instrument systems and automated cytopathology systems.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed in this news release are deemed "forward-looking statements" under
federal securities laws that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results
may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements depending
on a number of factors, including, among other things, the ability to maintain
long-term relationships with corporate partners, the ability to bring products
to market through the regulatory approval process, uncertainty of future
profitability, financing requirements, and other factors detailed in AccuMed's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE AccuMed International, Inc.
/NOTE TO EDITORS: Visit AccuMed's web site at accumed.com.
For investor information, contact Dana Winrow, M.D., 312-397-7455, or fax,
312-642-3492, or e-mail ir@accumed.com/
/CONTACT: Dana Winrow, M.D, Investor Information, of AccuMed
International, 312-397-7455; or Philip Thomas of P.L. Thomas Group,
312-906-8060/
/Web site: accumed.com
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