Nicknamed "Athena"

and "Venus" at SRMC, the equipment is the first of its kind

in the southeast, and Southern Regional is one of only ten hospitals in

the U.S. to purchase the system. It handles complete blood count (cbc),

measuring white and red blood cells, hemoglobin differential count of

white cells, anemia and also assists in making distinction between viral

and bacterial infections.

"The lab

currently handles an average of about 300 cbc's per day so the hematology

analyzer greatly reduces cost and increases efficiency at Southern Regional."

said Donna Waggoner, director of SRMC's Lab Services.

The system

operates in a fairly simple process. A blood sample is automatically loaded

and verified by the system. It recognizes preset parameters determined

it will automatically stain a slide. The unit also compares samples to

previous patient results, and it allows manufacturer Beckman Coulter to

monitor the equipment remotely 24 hours a day.

"The vision

for SRMC Lab Services is to be the best lab in the state of Georgia, the

likes the state has never seen," said Waggoner. "The hematology

analyzer is in line with that goal."

Southern Regional

Health System provides comprehensive health resources including: Southern

Regional Medical Center, a 406-bed, full-service hospital in Riverdale

featuring a state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center, a women's center,

a Diabetes Resource Center, and one of the busiest and best emergency

departments in the state; RiverWoods, Southern Regional Psychiatric Center,

a psychiatric facility with a complete continuum of behavioral care services;

Southern Regional Homecare, a home health agency providing home health

services and home medical equipment and Surgery Center at Mt. Zion, a

multi-specialty surgery center in Morrow.

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