Industry
Department of Pathology
Maggiore della Carità Hospital: IstoTech for automated histological sample storage
- Pathology laboratories
- Istotech
- Histological samples
Histological samples: traceability at the heart of diagnosis
As the volume of histological samples continued to grow, the Pathology Department at Maggiore della Carità Hospital needed a faster and more reliable way to archive and retrieve specimens. Manual processes no longer met the traceability and operational requirements demanded by modern healthcare standards.
ICAM’s IstoTech was introduced to automate sample storage and retrieval. Every transaction is recorded and fully traceable, ensuring controlled and compliant handling from archiving through to retrieval for diagnosis, validation or review.
Product
IstoTech
Key result
Over 430,000 samples managed in less than 10 m²
Key features
• Picking station with closing shutter
• Integrated fire suppression system
Ospedale Maggiore della Carità: clinical excellence and research
Maggiore della Carità Hospital in Novara is a leading university hospital serving north-eastern Piedmont and acting as a key regional centre for oncology care. The organisation delivers highly specialised clinical, diagnostic and research activities, where reliability and traceability are essential throughout the entire diagnostic pathway.
Within this environment, the Department of Anatomical Pathology plays a critical role. Every histological sample represents clinical evidence that can directly influence diagnosis and continuity of care. As a result, laboratory processes must comply with strict healthcare standards while ensuring fast, documented access to archived specimens.
Within this environment, the Department of Anatomical Pathology plays a critical role. Every histological sample represents clinical evidence that can directly influence diagnosis and continuity of care. As a result, laboratory processes must comply with strict healthcare standards while ensuring fast, documented access to archived specimens.
The logistical challenges
The growing number of cytological, biopsy and surgical specimens highlighted the need to move beyond manual coding, archiving and retrieval activities.
In a healthcare environment, inefficiencies do more than slow operations down: they increase clinical risk and can compromise the reliability of the diagnostic pathway.
Key challenges included:
- Risk of sample loss and handling errors.
- Limited long-term traceability.
- Lengthy sample retrieval times.
- Need to strengthen compliance with laboratory protocols.
IstoTech for anatomical pathology: storage for 161,280 tissue cassettes and 272,000 slides in just 9.97 m²
Developed specifically for anatomical pathology laboratories, IstoTech is ICAM’s automated system for high-density histological specimen archiving. At 3.7 metres high with two storage columns, it stores up to 161,280 tissue cassettes and 272,000 slides in just 9.97 m² of floor space.
An automatic closing shutter protects stored specimens and helps preserve optimal environmental conditions for long-term storage. The integrated fire protection system provides continuous operational safety.
An automatic closing shutter protects stored specimens and helps preserve optimal environmental conditions for long-term storage. The integrated fire protection system provides continuous operational safety.
ICON integrated with the laboratory information system: complete traceability from tissue cassette to slide
ICON is integrated with the Laboratory Information System (LIS), providing complete traceability throughout the entire archiving process. Every specimen is recorded, accurately located and can be retrieved within seconds.
IRIDE supports guided and precise specimen identification during both storage and retrieval operations, eliminating the risk of errors in the association between specimens and storage locations.
Every access and transaction is recorded, ensuring full compliance with healthcare regulations and laboratory standards.
IRIDE supports guided and precise specimen identification during both storage and retrieval operations, eliminating the risk of errors in the association between specimens and storage locations.
Every access and transaction is recorded, ensuring full compliance with healthcare regulations and laboratory standards.
Key results
Greater safety, traceability and process control across the pathology laboratory
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More than 430,000 specimens managed
Biocassettes and slides archived in under 10 m²
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Full traceability
Continuous monitoring and historical logging of every sample throughout the archiving cycle
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Reduced clinical risk
Prevention of sample loss and mishandling errors
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Fast and accurate picking
Guided identification via IRIDE: no errors, no delays
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Protected preservation
Workstation equipped with a protective shutter door to maintain stable environmental conditions and safeguard stored goods
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Operational safety
Automatic fire suppression system protecting both samples and staff
Discover the solution adopted by the Ospedale di Novara
IstoTech automated archiving solution
Explore IstoTech
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