Pioneering Hospital Tech: A World-First Innovation in New Zealand

<p> A first-of-its-kind mass spectrometer will enhance testing services for individuals across Aotearoa. </p> <p> The Agilent Infinity III 6475 mass spectrometer was set up at Canterbury Health Laboratories (CHL) in Christchurch during December. </p> <p> A mass spectrometer was employed to ascertain the molecular masses within a specimen. This device can be utilized in healthcare settings for quantifying minuscule quantities of substances present in blood samples. </p> <p> This was the inaugural installation of such a unit globally; however, multiple units in different nations were nearing operability as well. </p> <p> Dylan Davies, who serves as CHL's service manager for Specialist Labs, mentioned that the updated mass spectrometer is quicker, more efficient, and boasts greater sensitivity. </p> <p> Davies mentioned that it was akin to the unit it replaced but superior in all aspects. </p> <p> CHL was a government-owned pathology service provider and also functioned as a teaching lab. </p> <p> The Agilent device will be employed to quantify drug concentrations in blood specimens, mainly focusing on immunosuppressive agents administered after transplant procedures, along with antibiotics and antidepressants. </p> <p> Richard King, the clinical director at Canterbury Health Laboratories, stated that this assists healthcare providers in ensuring they administer the correct dosage of medication for maximum effectiveness. </p> <p> Healthcare providers heavily depend on this data, especially when dealing with immunosuppressive drugs, to properly adjust dosages and prevent organ rejection. Therefore, ensuring these test results are consistently returned to the healthcare professionals and delivered more swiftly is crucial. </p> <p> In Christchurch, the device would see extensive use, anticipated to examine around 40,000 samples annually. It was scheduled to run for 22 hours each day over six days of the week. </p> <p> The latest gadget will be approximately 25 percent quicker compared to the previous model, allowing for a higher number of samples to be processed weekly, according to Davies. </p> <p> The former equipment, aged 11 years, had handled nearly 1.5 million samples. </p> <p> The Canterbury Health Laboratories functioned as a referral service that handled specimens from across the nation, utilizing various mass spectrometers for differing needs. </p> <p> Davies mentioned that the antiquated mass spectrometer could find a valuable spot at the University of Canterbury, allowing students to gain experience in both using and disassembling it. </p> <p> As mass spectrometers were becoming more common, it was important for students to be acquainted with them for the benefit of all, he mentioned. </p> <h3> Related </h3> <ul class="related-stories"> <li> Forty percent of the most critical hospital maintenance issues are not currently being addressed. </li> <li> Uncovered: Hospital radiology units facing significant risks </li> <li> Personnel shortfalls and outdated machinery highlighted in overview of issues confronting X-ray units </li> </ul>

Pioneering Hospital Tech: A World-First Innovation in New Zealand

DIWIDA.NEWS

A first-of-its-kind mass spectrometer will enhance testing services for individuals across Aotearoa. The Agilent Infinity III 6475 mass spectrometer was set up at Canterbury Health Laboratories (CH…

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