New Automated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) Instruments Launched to Help Improve Clinical Performance

BD Diagnostics, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), have introduced two new erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) instruments in Europe that standardise analysis for more accurate, timely results and an efficient workflow in comparison to a manual Westergren method. This next generation of BD ESR instruments results in improved patient care in the laboratory or point of care setting.

Erythrocyte sedimentation is a commonly used haematology test to measure inflammation and the presence and severity of disease. “Improved automation and efficiency are key to carrying out analytical tests in a busy laboratory. More and more tests are being conducted each year and reduced healthcare spending puts pressure on laboratory resources,” commented Stephen Church, European Medical Affairs, BD Diagnostics -Preanalytical Systems.

Manual ESR testing has the potential for errors during the analytical process. The new BD Sedi-20 and BD Sedi-40 combined with BD Seditainer™ tube technology, standardise analysis to improve accuracy. The BD Sedi-40 has an integrated barcode reader and tube mixer. The barcode reader ensures fast, accurate entry of sample identification information. Sample misidentification is one of the many errors which can occur during the preanalytical phase. The integrated mixer ensures consistent and  

standardised mixing of the sample, which is critical in order to obtain an accurate result. Moving from an open manual process to an automated closed process will improve healthcare worker safety by reducing the risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens.

With an analysis time of just 30 minutes, a 50% reduction in time to result is achieved compared to the gold standard of one hour with Westergren. BD Sedi-20 can perform 20 tests an hour and the BD Sedi-40 can perform 40 tests an hour. The BD Sedi-40 can be connected to a laboratory information system to enable automatic uploading of results.