Lab Bulletin

Northampton, UK, 26 April 2010: HORIBA Medical has announced the launch of two new services from its technical team: the new web-based e-Learning programme HeLP and a bespoke customer Analyser Optimisation service. The HORIBA e-Learning Portal (HeLP) is designed to meet the ever-changing needs of HORIBA Medical's haematology and clinical chemistry customers by improving the accessibility of training for staff working shifts and on-call, whilst the Analyser Optimisation service enables customers to maximize the performance of their HORIBA Medical systems.

The HeLP courses are user-friendly, highly interactive and modular enabling users to complete their training at a time and a pace that suits their work pattern. It is designed to assist in ongoing and refresher training and provides competency certification for all system users. "Our initiative is not a substitute for existing training programmes, but is designed as a unique additional off-site service," explains Mandy Campbell, HORIBA Medical UK Technical Manager and e-Learning Project Manager.

Having a well-trained team is invariably as much of a challenge for the laboratory as it is for an analyser supplier. Changes to hospital laboratory management can often mean changes to the organisation and the possibility that key qualified staff are not always available should problems arise. At the same time, non-specialised staff members such as doctors and nurses, now frequently use a large number of systems in Point of Care locations and often ask for extra assistance. Finally, there is often a mandatory requirement for certified evidence of competency.

"We have developed the dedicated support material and training system here at HORIBA Medical UK using specific software. With our internal development expertise we are able to add new modules, alter existing ones or adapt them for specific customers without having to turn to a third party, which enables us to offer an exceptionally flexible and reactive service" explains Mandy Campbell.

In addition to the new e-Learning portal, HORIBA Medical's UK Technical Department has also introduced its complementary Analyser Optimisation service. Optimisation visits examine the performance of individual analysers, correlation between multiple analysers, instrument setup and workflow. Working with customers, the team is able to make bespoke recommendations to improve performance and optimise workflow, enabling adjustments to be made to fine tune the systems and software.

"HORIBA Medical is proud to continue its commitment to excellence by providing easy and increased access to professional competency training for all analyser users, whether based in the laboratory, satellite clinic or at the point of care" comments Cleve Wright, HORIBA Medical UK Manager. "With our excellent support network, the dedicated HORIBA Medical sales, service and technical teams strive to ensure customers are able to work as smoothly and efficiently as possible, with the best equipment available for the job."