As hospital and clinical laboratories endure increasingly intense pressures to do more with less, they now face another challenge - rising demand for medical tests driven by an aging US population that is expected to swell to more than 70 million in the next 20 years, an increase of more than 80 per cent. To help laboratories manage these burgeoning testing volumes, Abbott's Architectplus, the enhanced Architect family of immunochemistry analyzers, being showcased for the first time at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry Lab Expo, offers enhanced automation, workstation consolidation, high efficiency and labour savings for laboratories of all sizes.

The new features of Architectplus include more comprehensive and user-friendly software; a smaller size to help reduce space requirements; improvements to streamline operations and reduce interruptions; new video instructions to help with routine maintenance; and an attractive exterior design and styling. Abbott customers with existing Architect systems will be able to conveniently upgrade to Architectplus onsite (refer to the operations manual for operational precautions, limitations and hazards).

Abbott's Architectplus performs both clinical chemistry panels and immunoassay tests. With its extensive menu of more than 170 assays, the Architect enables laboratories facing increasing cost pressures to reduce labor, optimize throughput and enhance overall productivity, while standardizing data management processes and optimizing inventory control. It also provides features that minimize training and reduce inventory costs and sample contamination potential, which results in improved performance and outcomes for laboratories, physicians and patients.

"According to the Health and Human Services Administration on Aging, one in five Americans will be age 65 and older in 20 years. It's well documented that older people are the largest consumers of health care services, and the huge growth in this age group will likely generate significant new demand for routine lab tests and follow-up testing for diabetes, cancer and other conditions," said Brian Blaser, senior vice president, Diagnostics, Abbott. "Already stressed with finding ways to deal with diminishing resources and a serious shortage of trained staff, laboratories are turning to diagnostics manufacturers for technologies and capabilities they need to operate effectively and survive in this environment."

Abbott's Architect customers are seeing the value of their systems increase as Abbott expands the test menu with new biomarkers. Two new assays were just added within the last month alone: HE4 for early detection of ovarian cancer and HIV Antigen/Antibody Combo Assay to identify early HIV infections. Additionally, Abbott has more than a dozen novel biomarkers in development, and several are expected to be introduced in the next 12 months.

Abbott's Architect HE4 assay is a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay for the quantitative determination of HE4 antigen in human serum. The assay is designed to be used as an aid in monitoring recurrence or progressive disease in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, and should be used in conjunction with other clinical data.