Evaluation of a New Automated Processing System (TACAS™ Pro) for Liquid-Based Procedures.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a fully automated processing system (TACAS™ Pro) for liquid-based procedures (LBPs).


METHODS
Materials were 3,483 and additionally 502 specimens that were taken at Kanagawa Health Service Association. Specimens obtained with a Cervex-Brush® were first smeared to glass slides using one side of the brush and then processed to TACAS Pro.


RESULTS
(1) The microscopy watching time per normal case was 3.65 ± 0.85 min in the conventional procedure, whereas in the LBP it was 1.95 ± 0.60 min, and the latter reduced workload to 53%. (2) The handling time of TACAS Pro per day was 2 h and 25.8 min. The workload at a laboratory offset it and revealed the work saving to be 63.8%. (3) Unsatisfactory rates were 0% in the conventional procedure, whereas in the LBP it was 1.88% at first. The latter rate decreased to 0.5% after system improvement. (4) Specimens which may disturb microscopy analysis were found in 1.06%, including 3 cases of possible carry-over of cells to the following slides. An additional study with the revised system confirmed no carry-over. (5) Incidences of abnormal cytology were consistent between the two methods.


CONCLUSIONS
The revised automated processing system TACAS Pro is a feasible and useful LBP and reduces the workload of cytology laboratories.
Department of Cancer Detection for Females, Kanagawa Health Service Association, Yokohama, Japan.
Hiroyuki
H
Kuramoto
Naoko
N
Sugimoto
Yoshiko
Y
Iwami
Chizuyo
C
Kato
Masuko
M
Hori
Manichi
M
Iida
D000328:Adult; D057205:Automation, Laboratory; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000295:instrumentation; D057188:Workflow