Advanced technology has cut the time patients take to receive laboratory tests from days to just an hour in a Nakuru hospital.
The Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital’s ultra-modern medical laboratory, equipped with the advanced Atellica Solution system is set to reduce cases of misdiagnosis and save patients who travel for medical tests, time and money.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services Roselyn Mungai said the facility will not only enable doctors to offer better diagnostic services to patients in the county, but will also ease the burden on patients who have had to wait for long hours to get lab results.
The lab has new computers and uninterrupted power supply systems.
Speaking after touring the facility, the CECM who was accompanied by County Secretary and Chief of Staff Dr. Samuel Mwaura explained that the Atellica Solution is already enhancing diagnostic efficiency, with the capacity to handle over 700,000 tests annually, including thyroid, cardiac, liver, and kidney function tests.
“This cutting-edge technology integrates immunoassay and clinical chemistry analysis, powered by automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI), ensuring precise diagnostics for a wide range of conditions,” noted Mungai.
She explained how the system works, “The samples for testing are taken, a test conducted, results printed and given to a patient in an hour. Unlike the manual systems that had been in use before patients are able to ask for previous test results without worry of going through many files.”
The doctors can also check the results from the comfort of their offices.
The CECM assured that information sent through the system is encrypted and passwords allocated to every person that has access to the system, ensuring confidentiality of the medical data.
Mungai indicated that the new state-of-the-art lab is set to revolutionize the healthcare industry in the devolved unit and set new benchmarks in the region’s healthcare industry.
“The facility marks a significant advancement in healthcare and diagnostics in this region. It will utilize the latest AI technology to provide rapid, accurate, and reliable diagnostic results,” said the CECM.
The Chief of Staff explained that the lab’s mission is to raise the standard of healthcare across the county and beyond.
“By investing in fully automated systems, we are ensuring that diagnostics are not only more efficient but also more accessible to everyone in the region,” Dr. Mwaura said.
The facility, he said, represents Governor Susan Kihika’s vision on the future of healthcare, where precision, speed, and reliability meet to provide the best possible care for all.
The lab has cutting-edge diagnostic machines that can also handle a wide range of tests, from routine blood work to complex genetic testing.
“By leveraging artificial intelligence and robotics, the Labs ensures minimal human error, providing patients with trustworthy results and facilitating faster clinical decisions for doctors and healthcare professionals,” he added.
Key features of the lab include fully automated diagnostic systems that offer rapid results with high accuracy and expanded testing capabilities that cover a wide range of medical and diagnostic services.
The facility also includes equipment with increased efficiency which will significantly reduce the waiting time for results.
Dr. Mungai said the laboratory will operate around the clock, ensuring that patients receive timely results, regardless of their location or time of need.
“We are committed to offering affordable and accessible healthcare solutions, and this new facility underscores its dedication to making world-class diagnostics a reality for all Kenyans,” he added.
By Jane Ngugi
