Matt Rhyner, the world of oncology and clinical laboratory testing that’s not directly related to oncology are getting closer together because of the interrelated analytes and procedures that clinicians and patients need. Can you comment on that?
Dr. Rhyner (Beckman Coulter): There’s definitely tie-in. I think of core lab diagnostics as the first line of defense before we want to do a biopsy—molecular, chemical, or protein indicators are much better for the patient than a biopsy. But if biopsy is to occur, there are many AI-powered tools. AI-powered image analysis is helping to advance oncology analysis. Networks are starting to make those decisions, looking for a total solution, and we can offer that. With the integrated EHR, there’s better dialogue and sharing of results. Molecular genetic analysis, which is a direct marker for cancer biology, could be added to the main analysis as a reflex test, but it’s still not cheap or rapid enough for a screening tool.
Rob Fratino, same question to you.
Rob Fratino (Siemens Healthineers): I’ve seen early studies, particularly for bladder cancer, where urinalysis is not the main driver of the diagnostic pathway but can potentially serve a role in refining an AI algorithm that provides data from urinalysis alongside emerging biomarkers in the immunoassay sphere. We have to take a step back and look at it from a practical implementation standpoint—if studies are promising, I see challenges on the workflow implementation, combining analytes and parameters from multiple disciplines.
Jason Anderson, Sysmex is a global company that is beginning to introduce instrumentation and other solutions into the United States. There must be times when you ponder a grand combination that would be useful for patients in the clinical setting.
Jason Anderson (Sysmex): I agree there’s still significant research needed in bladder cancer and developing robust algorithms will take time. However, the strength of urinalysis lies in its ability to screen for disease even before symptoms emerge. By screening for specific particle types and reflexing to additional diagnostic modalities, such as immunoassays and molecular testing, urinalysis can play a more pivotal role in early disease detection.
Sysmex is well positioned to implement advanced flow cytometry to deliver accurate, precise urine particle identification as a screening tool. This capability can, for example, potentially help reduce unnecessary cystoscopies or better target the patients who would most benefit from them. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance workflow efficiency while improving diagnostic and screening capabilities to detect and monitor these conditions more effectively. That’s where I see Sysmex having a meaningful impact in the future.
Meagan Seeger, what are the most important practical considerations in running urinalysis now in the clinical environment? Do you have enough staff?
Meagan Seeger (WDL): Staffing is an issue. Even at a large facility such as ours, we have multiple shifts that share the urinalysis bench; it’s not always a singly staffed bench. If we bring extra tests onto the bench—an extra analyte or reflex—and don’t have a staff member to sit and watch it all night, that could be a concern for keeping samples preserved. The urinalysis bench gets left behind in terms of staffing. It’s perceived as an easy bench—we can get through it quickly; we don’t need to staff it. As things change, that may not be the case.
Within your network, because you serve many sites and a lot comes to the main laboratory, do you find you’re doing urinalysis at fewer sites but with greater volumes, greater concentration, and sophisticated technology?
Meagan Seeger (WDL): We aren’t necessarily doing it at fewer sites. Sites that don’t have enough staff to run a large analyzer will run point-of-care chemistries and send the sample to a larger lab for the microscopic.