cobas^® connection modules

Discover new opportunities to design and operate your lab in the most effective way. CCM vertical as part of the cobas connection modules is designed for overhead sample transportation, enabling cross walkways, floor-to-floor transportation, split solutions across different work areas, and much more. CCM Vertical works seamlessly with the rest of the solution, enabling the same quality, reliability, and performance, with up to 2500 samples/hour, just like horizontal transportation.

On busier days, we have around 10,000 patients, which corresponds to approximately 30,000 tubes per day that go through our laboratory and are analysed. We serve about 1.8 million patients per year.

My name is Bettina Jesch. I am the chief biomedical analyst for labors.at in the Chemistry-Immunology and Molecular Biology department.

Previously, we had eight standalone SWA systems, and now we have ten systems connected to the CCM line. This means that the samples are automatically distributed to the correct systems for analysis and eventually end up in storage. If there are any open tests or additional analysis required from the referrer or referring physician, they are also automatically routed to the systems.

Before the CCM vertical system, we had to walk a lot between all the devices to reach our designated areas. With CCM vertical, we can simply walk underneath it and directly access the systems. It has made things much easier.

Considering the number of devices, all the CCM systems are individual modules, and there are hardly any failures. The concern was that if anything went wrong with the automated process, the samples wouldn't reach the devices, but everything runs smoothly.

A technician is usually here on the same day or at the latest, the next day, if we have questions or problems. They are always reachable. The new tool in Navify online support is especially great because when we select the case, we receive immediate assistance or the information that a technician is coming.

In terms of efficiency, we asked various manufacturers, including Roche, to design the most efficient processes for chemical and biological analysis. We had many workshops, and the project took two years. In the end, we chose Roche because they provided the most efficient and space-saving solution to handle the sample volume.

Previously, it was one of the most unpopular workplaces in our facility, where colleagues had to archive samples in the cold storage rooms. They wore insulated boots and jackets when searching for samples or fulfilling additional requests. Now, with Roche's automated storage, the archiving process and disposal are done automatically. We only have to dispose of large waste containers once or twice a day, instead of continuously bringing individual archive racks out of the cold storage.

We are proud to have received one of the first CCM vertical solutions from Roche, as our employees used to walk about 80,000 steps per day to circumvent the transportation line on the floor. Now, they can simply walk underneath the CCM Vertical. The official authorities are pleased that the escape routes are clear again, and we can save a significant number of kilometers per day.

The sample transport used to require a lot of manpower and was inefficient because a staff member wouldn't always notice when a rack was full and needed to be moved. After the transition to the storage system, we received very positive feedback that the additional requests are fulfilled quickly, and there are no longer any follow-up phone calls asking about the status of the requests. Manual processes can always lead to errors, but when things are automated through the CCM system, it's a perfect solution.

Another significant advantage for us is that the employees who are no longer needed to transport racks from point A to point B can now engage in other meaningful activities. We expect to continue growing, and with Roche as our partner, we can do so in a modular way, despite us having a complex system solution.

It is certainly something that stands out that we can always have a very good, open conversation with Roche. The support team is always very accessible, and we quickly find solutions. We never encounter problems, and we always receive excellent support and advice.