(April 16, 1997, Toronto) ... Sophisticated robotic technology and an automated laboratory are the engines of The Toronto Hospital's LAB OF THE FUTURE a joint venture project between The Toronto Hospital and MDS Inc. which was officially unveiled today at its new home.
The 50/50 joint venture project, known as Toronto Medical Laboratories (TML),
provides cost-effective, high quality laboratory services, with a sophisticated Laboratory Information System which provides immediate transmission of test results back to the bedside.
TML, located close to the Hospital at the Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences, provides full laboratory services to The Toronto Hospital and Doctor's Hospital and partial laboratory services to Princess Margaret Hospital, Riverdale Hospital, Scarborough Centenary Hospital and North York Branson. The initiative between the Hospital and MDS will help lower costs, create a centre of excellence and provide a platform for innovative technology and research. Savings gained by the operation of TML will allow subscriber hospitals to reinvest in patient care and provide overall savings to the health care sector. The Toronto Hospital is expected to save $3 million once the lab is fully implemented.
"Toronto Medical Laboratories is an excellent example of partnerships between hospitals and private industry," said Dr. Alan Hudson, President, The Toronto Hospital. "The partnership combines the strength of the laboratory expertise at the Hospital with the commercial, marketing and technological expertise at MDS."
"MDS is very pleased to be working with The Toronto Hospital and we are excited that together we are beginning to create a new future health care. The "lab of the future" fundamentally changes the way laboratory services are provided. The process improves productivity and cost-effectiveness while high standards of quality are maintained," said Mr. Alan Torrie, President, MDS Laboratory Services Division.
The centrepiece of TML is the MDS AutoLab System. The system provides modular laboratory automation technologies which reduce manual repetitive tasks and allow technologists to focus on patient-oriented diagnostic decision. The Laboratory Information System is key to providing services to off-site facilities. The system can facilitate the integration of up to 10 existing hospital information systems with TML to allow real-time transmission of laboratory information. AutoLab includes an expert system which will assist the technologist in determining where human intervention is required.
The Toronto Medical Laboratories consolidates laboratory services at the Hospital, from over seven floors in three buildings, to two floors at the Michener Institute. Two rapid response labs will continue to remain on site at the Hospital. TML has been designed to increase its current volumes by 21/2 times, or approximately 8 million net tests a year. Currently, TML is operating at a volume of 2.8 million tests.
"Toronto Medical Laboratories offers an opportunity for hospitals to reduce their laboratory costs through the benefits of consolidated capital and core functions," said Ms. Ginny Sinnott, Vice President of Nursing and Patient Services and Chair of Toronto Medical Laboratories. "At the same time, the on-site rapid response concept will allow hospitals to meet their immediate needs."
The Toronto Hospital is Canada's largest acute care teaching facility with approximately 1200 beds. The Hospital has gained an international reputation for excellence in patient care, teaching and research in its four priority programs cardiac sciences, neurosciences, transplantation and oncology.
MDS Inc. is Canada's largest technology-based health and life sciences company. With operations around the world and revenues of $800 million, the company focuses on innovative and cost-effective technologies, services and products for the prevention, diagnosis and management of disease. The core businesses of MDS include laboratory services, system technology and equipment; clinical research for most of the major pharmaceutical companies; the production and distribution of most of the world's requirements for medical radioisotopes; medical and hospital supplies and inventory management systems; and products and services for the home care industry.
For further information, contact Josey Panetta, Senior Media Relations Officer,
The Toronto Hospital, (416) 340-3303 or
Susan Hughes, Director, Communications and Public Policy, MDS Laboratory Services, (416) 675-4530, ext. 2415.
Return
to The Toronto Hospital Home Page