Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories Defends First Place Status in the Lab Week 2007 ARTEL Pipetting Olympics
Westbrook, ME (June 29, 2007) – For the second year in a row, Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories (Spokane, WA) won First Place in the ARTEL Pipetting Olympics. ARTEL’s contest, held each year during National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, challenges laboratory technicians to test the accuracy and precision of their pipetting skills against colleagues and other laboratories. Because operator variability is a major source of pipetting error, proper technique is critical. The Pipetting Olympics gives technicians an opportunity to improve pipetting skills while participating in a fun, team building event.
Thirty-nine laboratories participated with over 400 individuals competing, and 289 medals were awarded. Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories had the lowest average CV (variability) of 0.34%. AIT Laboratories (Indianapolis, IN) and Credit Valley Hospital (Mississauga ON) followed closely in second and third places, respectively. The difference in CVs between the first and third place teams was only 0.12%, a closer differential than last year’s winners. For their winning performance, Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories will receive a $300 gift card to be used toward a team lunch.
Technicians tested their pipetting skills in their own laboratories using the ARTEL PCS® (Pipette Calibration System). Facilities not owning a PCS were loaned a system from ARTEL to be used during the contest. The PCS enabled labs to rapidly assess, record and compile the results of each individual’s and team’s pipetting performance to be sent to ARTEL for evaluation. ARTEL also supplied all participants with coaching on pipetting technique issues such as pre-wetting, insertion depth and maintaining balanced pressure.
ARTEL offers support for laboratories interested in sponsoring Pipetting Olympics throughout the year, and will also hold individual and team Pipetting Olympics, including a multi-channel competition, at the AACC Annual Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo, to take place July 17-19, 2007 in San Diego, CA. To participate, visit the ARTEL booth #4143.
About ARTEL
ARTEL is the worldwide leader in liquid handling quality assurance. ARTEL manufactures the most accurate, precise, and easy-to-use systems for ensuring data integrity in liquid volume measurement. ARTEL systems, based on proprietary Ratiometric Photometry, conform to ISO 8655-7 and provide NIST-traceable results. In addition, ARTEL provides liquid handling quality assurance support and consultation services including on-site pipetting technique training and certification for pipette users and laboratory managers, as well as Liquid Handler Performance Verification services for automated laboratories. Since 1982, ARTEL technology has been proven in daily use in thousands of laboratories including pharmaceutical, clinical, forensic, public health and environmental. Leading institutions such as Amgen, ARUP, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Centers for Disease Control, DuPont, Eli Lilly, FBI, Genentech, Genomic Health, Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Merck, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, and U.S. FDA depend on ARTEL technology to help them meet their objectives for quality and productivity. For more information, contact ARTEL at 25 Bradley Drive, Westbrook, ME 04092; Tel: 207-854-0860; Fax: 207-854-0867; Website: www.artel-usa.com.