INVIVO and Beckman Coulter: best technology solutions for Kazakhstan healthcare

The developer and manufacturer of this equipment is Beckman Coulter, an internationally recognized leader of the med tech market. Today we are talking to Nurgul Vatansever, Vice President EEMEA at Beckman Coulter Diagnostics; Roman Chernov, CEO at INVIVO laboratories; Rustam Gainatulin, CDO at INVIVO laboratories; and Alina Toichubaeva, Board Member at INVIVO laboratories. 

Nurgul, tell us about Beckman Coulter?

Nurgul: Beckman Coulter Inc. is an operating company of Danaher Corporation, a leading global science and technology innovator. Beckman Coulter develops, manufactures, and markets products that simplify, automate and innovate complex biomedical testing.

For more than 80 years, a global leader in clinical diagnostics, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics helps healthcare professionals provide better patient care by delivering accurate diagnostic information they need.

Our diagnostic solutions are used in complex clinical testing, and are found in hospitals, reference laboratories and physician office settings around the globe. We exist to deliver smarter, faster diagnostic solutions that move the needle forward from what’s now to what’s next. We do this by accelerating care with an extensive clinical menu, scalable lab automation technologies, insightful clinical informatics, and optimize lab performance services.

Tell us about the partnership between INVIVO and Beckman Coulter?  

Nurgul: Our partnership began back in 2016 when we installed a benchtop Access 2 immunoassay analyzer at INVIVO Laboratories performing a variety of tests including cancer, hormonology, serology, vitamins and many more.

Since then, the partnership has flourished, leading to the installation of over 100 instruments across the network of INVIVO labs, including the central lab in Almaty and its 12 spoke labs in Kazakhstan regions. These latest technology instruments play a crucial role in serving clinicians and patients, ensuring efficient and accurate diagnostic testing.

Our mission is to Relentlessly Reimagine Healthcare, One Diagnosis at a Time – and we do this by applying the power of science, technology and the passion and creativity of our teams. That’s why in June we installed in INVIVO central lab DxA 5000, total laboratory automation system with proprietary intelligence that drives rapid and consistent turnaround times for all samples and reduces manual processing steps.

Rustam: During INVIVO's fifteen years of experience, we have tried different technologies, and came to the conclusion that Beckman Coulter is one of the best manufacturers. Today we use technologies that are installed in the laboratories in Europe and the USA. Quality of our tests is confirmed monthly by such international organizations as EQAS (Bio Rad, USA) and RIQAS (UK). These organizations specialize in quality control of tests, conduct comparative research. Every time our results are within the reference standards, at the level of the world's leading laboratories. In addition, all our analyzers undergo internal quality control on a daily basis.

Roman: Main goal of a med lab is to deliver high quality results of analysis in time. Automatization allows us not only to speed up the process and increase quality but also exclude human errors on each of the many stages of analysis. When we were selecting a manufacturer to equip our labs, and especially the laboratory in Almaty, we had chosen Beckman Coulter as a trusted producer and partner. We use Beckman Coulter instruments in our labs and are very satisfied with the experience. 

What makes DxA 5000 special? Tell our readers more about this solution

Nurgul: The DxA 5000 is the most comprehensive total laboratory automation system which reduces up to 80% of the manual steps associated with processing a patient sample to significantly improve laboratory efficiency. 

DxA 5000 automates preanalytics, postanalytics and centrifugation areas handling three most important disciplines: immunochemistry, clinical chemistry, and hematology together with a single point of entry. 

As a result, it can run 1,200 tubes per hour and provide over 50,000 tests daily without compromising on accuracy or efficiency. This advanced technology allows INVIVO to streamline its workflow, increases efficiency, and delivers accurate results in record time.

What's truly impressive about this system is that its current specifications can easily accommodate double growth without any need for modifications or upgrades.

By the way, DxA 5000 was awarded with the Scientists' Choice Award® for Best New Clinical Laboratory Instrumentation.

All mentioned above made INVIVO very attractive for the lab professionals’ visitors around the globe that’s why it became the Beckman Coulter reference site in Automation.

Roman: In addition, our lab works 24/7, which is very important for doctors and patients in case of urgent tests. Everything connected with life and health situations is the utmost priority in our company. This automation system allows us to deliver results in time even during peak hours without slowing down the processes. And at last, this track line was easily built in our existing infrastructure. As Nurgul said, it gives us the capability to increase the number of tests without changing the equipment. 

Rustam: In our company we strive to deliver best customer experience possible. That’s why we automated the final stage of lab service: results delivery to the patient. As soon as the system finishes the analysis, result is immediately sent to the client via WhatsApp or in Qomek app. This way our patient receives the result without any delay.

Nurgul, you’ve mentioned that INVIVO became a reference site. What does it mean? Can you describe it more?

Nurgul: A reference site, in the context of Beckman Coulter, refers to a laboratory that serves as a model or showcase for others. When a customer becomes a reference site, it means they are willing to host visitors from different countries and continents who are interested in observing and learning from their advanced laboratory setup.

Reference sites are equipped with the latest and most innovative technologies that Beckman Coulter offers. These technologies demonstrate to other customers the potential benefits and capabilities they can achieve by adopting similar solutions. Reference sites also showcase the most efficient workflow processes, allowing visitors to witness firsthand how these processes can enhance productivity and improve overall laboratory operations.

In summary, being a Beckman Coulter reference site signifies that a customer has a highly advanced laboratory, willing to share their expertise and experience with others, and serves as a valuable resource for learning and inspiration in the industry.

I see, it’s very exciting. Let’s talk about the future. What is BEC & INVIVO partnership vision for the future?

Nurgul: The vision for the partnership between us and INVIVO is aligned with Beckman Coulter's broader vision for the region. In Kazakhstan our goal is to become the most trusted partner for customers.

To achieve this goal, the partnership between us and INVIVO is focused on developing and growing our collaboration. Beckman Coulter aims to assist INVIVO in overcoming their challenges and expanding their business within Kazakhstan and beyond its borders. Specifically, there are plans to expand their presence in Central Asia. 

In summary, the future vision for the Beckman Coulter and INVIVO partnership includes being a trusted partner, supporting INVIVO in expanding their business, and actively pursuing growth opportunities in other Central Asian countries.

Roman: First, thanks to our partnership, we are bringing new technologies to Kazakhstan and making these technologies available. We have already talked about opening a large track line in Almaty. We have plans to automate laboratories in Aktobe, Shymkent, and then remote regions of Kazakhstan. Secondly, we are introducing information technologies that allow us to manage this equipment, such as REMISOL, a leading middleware solution for today’s clinical laboratories, bridging laboratory information systems (LIS) and instrumentation. We are training our employees in Kazakhstan so that they can work with the equipment without the support of foreign specialists. This, in turn, will make laboratory services better and more accessible.

Alina, as a participant of medical diagnostic organizations across countries, what is your outlook on how healthcare systems are changing and what patients are looking for?

Alina: As an observer and board member of various medical diagnostic businesses across countries, I can highlight that accurate medical diagnosis is a key to patient’s satisfaction. Nowadays, patients and healthcare providers are well aware of methods and equipment used and demand the best performance. Similarly, my engagement in various healthcare systems showed that high automation takes off extra burden from operators and increases transparency on all levels. Thus, significantly improving efficiency and results for both of the providers and patients.

Looking ahead for exact actions, what are Beckman Coulter’s plans for INVIVO in the next year? 

Nurgul: In the coming year, Beckman Coulter has specific plans to further enhance our partnership with INVIVO. 

We will continue implementing the latest innovations from Beckman Coulter in INVIVO’s laboratories. As part of this plan, in 2024, Beckman Coulter will install the new called DxI 9000 Access Immunoassay Analyzer. This instrument, unveiled in Rome during the Euromedlab congress in May, is known for its exceptional productivity per footprint. It has the capability to run up to 215 tests per hour per square meter (tests/hr/m2). The DxI 9000 Access Immunoassay Analyzer represents a significant advancement in immunoassay testing operational performance, showing the capability to provide improved assay sensitivity to meet the analytical needs of the future.

In conclusion, could you summarize the partnership with INVIVO lab so far?

Nurgul: There is a sense of pride in the accomplishments achieved together, and the potential for further achievements is eagerly anticipated. The engagement and focus of both teams in elevating performance standards to new heights is particularly inspiring.

The shared belief is that this fruitful partnership will ultimately lead to better patient outcomes. The commitment to working together and leveraging each other's strengths creates a strong foundation for continued success and the ability to make a positive impact in healthcare.

Roman: The partnership allowed us to expand the range of our tests, significantly improving the quality of these analyses and the speed of issuing results. In addition, we have greatly reduced the time of issuing the result of the analysis, in fact now our clients receive them three times faster than previously.

And I will say it one more time, the main achievement for us, is that we have made this technology available in the regions of Kazakhstan to help improve – and save – lives for many more people. Now our people can get medical laboratory service that is comparable to that in Europe or the USA. 

Andrey Shilov, Assel Sydykova