Gram Stain Analysis
Automated Digitization of Gram Stains
- Centralized Reading of Gram Stains
- Decentralized Assessment
- Improved Quality Management
The rising prevalence of infectious diseases and a growing geriatric population with increased susceptibility are major drivers for the ever-growing number of patient samples to be assessed by clinical microbiology laboratories. At the same time healthcare professionals face increasing cost pressures and dwindling workforces. This conflict can be resolved by streamlined workflow automation and digitization.
One area with high potential for automation is light microscopy, particularly the reading of Gram stains. Here is also, where the implementation of automated slide scanning and sample digitization is highly beneficial, both from a quality-control perspective as well as given the necessity for higher cost-efficiency in hospital and laboratory settings.
Centralized Reading of Gram Stains
Automated reading of Gram stains is done with the Metafer based scanning solution. The software in combination with appropriate scanning hardware scans, digitizes, and archives up to 800 Gram slides automatically in one batch. Instead of spending time in slide scanning, technicians can focus on Gram stain assessment and flexibly organize their work. Moreover, all Gram stain reads can be consolidated on one workstation. Seamless integration into the existing laboratory environment facilitates the exchange of images and data with external systems via LIMs to upload pre-defined procedures for reading and assessment to store Gram information with patient files.
Decentralized Assessment
Evaluation of digitized images is faster because data can be accessed from anywhere in the hospital / laboratory network. Now experts can access images anywhere and any time, allowing more timely therapy decisions and sharper focus on interdisciplinary collaborations and optimizing patient results.
Improved Quality Management
Automated imaging improves quality management because
- Automation facilitates the implementation of standardized monitoring procedures for Gram stains
- Automatic pre-selection of sample regions for image acquisition based on morphology and density criteria reassures highest information gain for subsequent analysis
- Archiving images improves traceability because digitized data are easy to track and to recall
- Training of laboratory staff on digitized images improves Gram stain proficiency, hence higher quality results for this cornerstone of diagnostic testing in the microbiology laboratory
Manual Digitization of Gram Stains
Metafer IMAS is the manual imaging solution for satellite laboratories within hospital and laboratory networks for decentralized Gram image acquisition and centralized image / case management.
Neon for Case and Imaging Data Management
Neon is an integrated part of Metafer and represents the next generation of case and imaging management software made by MetaSystems. Neon collects the data from any imaging job and from external sources, and presents them in a comprehensive and versatile case management dashboard. Strong data management algorithms, several convenient display modes, and many options for selecting and filtering content makes Neon the perfect basis to organize large quantities of information.
Metafer - The Open and Flexible Microscopy Software
Metafer is a highly flexible scanning software that can easily be adapted to include other microbiological applications like automated tuberculosis sputum smear microscopy or Direct Multiplex Imaging (DMI) for direct microscopy of pneumonia-causing bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms in positive blood cultures.
Metafer applications* beyond microbiology include Clinical Cytogenetics, Cancer Genetics and Cell Biology, Forensics, Pathology and Tissue Imaging, and Toxicology and Radiation Biology.
For a list of our reference customers, please click here.
Legal Note
MetaSystems software and system products are classified as in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVD) in the European Union in accordance with In Vitro Diagnostics Regulation (EU) 2017/746 or In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Directive 98/79/EC, respectively, and carry the CE label unless otherwise indicated. Use all MetaSystems IVD products only within the scope of their intended purpose.
MetaSystems products are used in many countries worldwide. Depending on the regulations of the respective country or region, some products may not be used for clinical diagnostics.
Some hardware components supplied by other manufacturers are not included in MetaSystems IVD products and are therefore not IVD medical devices.
Please contact us for further information.