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January 19, 2009
Marquette General Laboratory reaps benefits of philanthropic gift
The main campus clinical laboratory at Marquette General is using a new cytocentrifuge (Cytospin) machine made possible by philanthropic gifts to the Marquette General Foundation.
This specialized instrument, valued at more than $8,400, is essential for the optimal preparation of blood and body fluid samples that undergo microscopic analysis for the detection and identification of abnormal cells. The identification of these abnormal cancerous cells often leads to the identification of the disease. This is great news for patients because abnormal cells are located and identified as early as possible.
Florence Namiotka, a medical technologist in the flow cytometry department in the lab at Marquette General, separates human cells on the new cytospin equipment.
“The Cytospin is unique because it has the ability to take fluid samples that have a limited amount of cells and concentrate them all into a small ‘button’ on a microscope slide,” said Martin Renaldi, MPA, core laboratory manager at Marquette General. “Once the slide comes out of the Cytospin, it then can be stained and sent to a pathologist or laboratory technologist for microscopic evaluation.”
Many times, microscopic smears made from fluid samples with limited amounts of cells inaccurately reflect true cell composition since the cells are too scarce to be seen under the microscope, Renaldi said.
“The concentrating effect of the Cytospin eliminates those inaccuracies,” Renaldi said. “Even clear, seemingly non-cellular samples will usually produce at least some cells worthy of evaluation.”
The Cytospin can process and concentrate cells and layer them onto a slide without destroying or disrupting their appearance. This allows for easier and more accurate identification than conventional centrifugation.
“Having the Cytospin available and close by has been very beneficial to our laboratory staff,” said John Rhoades, MPA, laboratory program director at MGHS. “In the past, we’ve had to try different techniques, sometimes numerous attempts, in an effort to get a sample slide acceptable for an accurate evaluation. The Cytospin consistently creates acceptable slides, in most cases on the first run.”
The Cytospin technology would not have been purchased had it not been for philanthropic gifts.
“The Marquette General main campus clinical laboratory is thankful for Foundation donors … this is a wonderful and timely gift,” Renaldi said. “Our laboratory staff has personally felt and witnessed the positive impact of a department that benefits from the gifting process. Without such resources, it would stand to reason that needed and necessary equipment and services could be passed over, particularly at a time when healthcare dollars are scarce.”
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