St. John’s Hospital – Aurora Laboratory recently purchased two state-of-the-art Cobas chemistry analyzers to meet community health needs.

The Cobas Integra random access analyzer has the ability to perform 118 chemistry procedures. St. John’s-Aurora applied for 45 of the testing procedures. The access of this analyzer will allow the hospital laboratory to increase their testing menu with the following procedures.

•Hgb Alc (Hemoglobin Alc): A diagnostic test useful for the monitoring of long-
term blood glucose control in individuals with diabetes mellitus.

•Lipase: An analytic test, allowing physicians to differentiate diagnosis of
diseases of the pancreas.

•Iron and Iron Binding: Two diagnostic tests which assist the physician in
evaluation and differentiation of anemia disease.

The Cobas Elecsys random access analyzer is scheduled to arrive in mid December with testing to begin in mid January, 2005. The Cobas Elecsys analyzer is designed for specialized testing that aids in the detection of myocardial disease, circulating clotting disorders, diseases of the thyroid, and antigen screening for prostatic cancer. St. John’s Hospital – Aurora will have access to 6 new procedures for testing. The access of this analyzer will increase the testing menu with the following procedures.

•Free T4 (Free Thyroxin): A diagnostic test aiding physicians in the
differentiation of thyroid gland diseases.

•Pro BNP (B type Natriuretic Peptide): A procedure that aids the physician in
the diagnosis for chronic heart failure and can assist in determining the amount
of damage to the heart.

The broad menu includes clinical chemistry, specific proteins therapeutic drug monitoring, drug of abuse testing and much more. Quality control programs monitor precision and accuracy to ensure reliable results. Consolidation on a single system improves turnaround times, by reducing the need for sample splitting, and provides additional benefits and efficiencies for patients and employers in the communities we serve.