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In the realm of healthcare and medical diagnostics, the significance of specimen processing services cannot be overstated. These services encapsulate a systematic approach to handling biological specimens, from the moment they are collected until they are analyzed in the laboratory. The integrity and reliability of diagnostic results depend heavily on the meticulous processing of these specimens, which includes blood, urine, tissue samples, and more.

The Role of Specimen Processing

Specimen processing involves several critical steps that ensure the quality and viability of samples. Initially, specimens are collected and must be properly labeled and logged to prevent any mix-up. Adequate handling and transportation protocols are also crucial, as specimens can degrade or become contaminated if not managed correctly.

For example, blood samples may require cooling during transport to maintain their stability, while certain tissues must be preserved in specific solutions to prevent decay. The process also includes centrifugation, where samples, especially those involving plasma or serum, are spun at high speeds to separate components. This step is vital, as it prepares specimens for the next phase of analysis.

Quality Control Measures

Quality control is at the heart of specimen processing services. Laboratories implement stringent protocols and guidelines that comply with industry standards to ensure that all specimens are handled with care. Regular calibration of equipment, routine checks of processing techniques, and comprehensive staff training contribute to maintaining high-quality outcomes. The use of automated systems also plays a significant role in minimizing human error, leading to more accurate and consistent results.

Importance of Turnaround Time

In medical diagnostics, time is often of the essence. Fast and efficient specimen processing ensures that results are delivered promptly, allowing healthcare providers to make timely decisions regarding patient care. Effective specimen processing services aim to reduce turnaround times without compromising quality, striking a balance that benefits both healthcare professionals and patients.

Integration with Technology

Advancements in technology have revolutionized specimen processing services. Automated systems and software solutions enhance the efficiency of specimen tracking, data entry, and result dissemination. Barcoding and electronic health records (EHR) are increasingly utilized to streamline the workflow, reduce errors, and improve overall communication within the laboratory and between healthcare providers.

The Future of Specimen Processing

Looking ahead, the field of specimen processing is poised for further advancements. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning could lead to even more refined processes, allowing for predictive analytics that can enhance specimen handling practices. Additionally, an increased focus on personalized medicine may drive the demand for more specialized specimen processing services tailored to unique patient needs.

Conclusion

In summary, specimen processing services are a vital component of the healthcare landscape, directly influencing the accuracy and efficiency of diagnostic testing. By ensuring careful handling, maintaining quality control, and leveraging technology, these services contribute significantly to patient care. As the industry evolves, so too will the practices and technologies that underpin specimen processing, paving the way for a future that prioritizes precision and efficiency in diagnostics.

 
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Groups & Contents tagged with "Zero emissions"

Innovation Marketplace

The Innovation Marketplace aims to connect innovation seekers looking for solutions to solve their pain points and challenges and solution owners TRL7+ Wiling to advance their solutions to the market.

It also gather Implementation Cases, i.e. success stories of companies and entrepreneurs that have implemented R&I results into market applications.


Category: Knowledge Platform
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CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS HORIZON-CL5-2024-D6-01-07 Scaling up logistics innovations supporting freight transport decarbonisation in an affordable way

Category: Funding Calls
Skill Level: Beginner

CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS LC-GD-1-2-2020 Towards Climate-Neutral and Socially Innovative Cities

Specific Challenge:

The strategic long-term vision[1] published by the Commission for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy calls for a drastic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The European Commission’s Green Deal[2] proposes a new growth strategy that aims to preserve the planet for future generations. It should serve as the compass to emerge from the present COVID-19 crisis and offers the opportunity to bounce forward and accelerate our progress towards meeting the EU climate change objectives. It sets an ambitious target of a 50%-55% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Through its roadmap for action it outlines a long-term vision for the environment, involving all sectors of the economy, geared towards reaching the goal of climate neutrality.

While cities occupy only 2% of the planet’s landmass, they consume over 65% of the world’s energy and account for more than 70% of global man-made CO2 emissions. Currently 75% of European citizens live in cities and this percentage is expected to rise to 80% by 2050. Therefore, cities[3] must play a crucial role in helping Europe reach the targets of the Green Deal. The Commission will support their systemic transformation towards climate neutrality leveraging, in particular, technological, non-technological and social innovation and new AI-based solutions.

The challenge resides with achieving significant progress towards climate neutrality at a large (European) scale by fostering climate-neutrality and social innovation in cities. This means capitalising on existing research and innovation, valorising available knowledge in Europe, and using Green Deal-targeted social, financial, and technological innovation to co-create, test, and deploy systemic, integrated solutions, technologies, and incentive schemes with cities to tackle the largest sources of pollution in urban and metropolitan areas. It also implies designing incentives promoting investments such as green infrastructure into cities committed to climate neutrality and the Green Deal objectives. This will help test innovative solutions, technologies, and incentives to reach the scale that will make them attractive for industry economically, for citizens in terms of affordability, liveability, and inclusiveness, and for local authorities as concern effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of life. Testing these solutions and incentives will require listening to the needs of citizens and engaging cities to act. Framing the above-mentioned elements necessitates taking into account the consequences and long-lasting impacts on cities of the current health and economic crisis, affecting for example mobility, transportation, urban planning, digitisation, provision of services, etc. It requires triggering and supporting lasting changes in social, business, and administrative practices and in individual behaviours with clear impacts on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and other co-benefits that citizens, businesses and public authorities find desirable.

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[1] https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/strategies/2050_en

[2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/political-guidelines-next-commission_en.pdf

[3] For the purposes of this topic “cities” should be intended as either city district (neighbourhood or zone of special interest of a city administered or governed by some type of “district council”), a city represented by a government unit (e.g. municipality) or an urban area (conglomeration or a functional area composed of many neighbouring cities or government units, represented by the respective government units).

[4] E.g. Smart Cities Marketplace and its Matchmaking facility: https://eu-smartcities.eu

[5] https://www.covenantofmayors.eu




Category: Funding Calls
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CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS LC-MG-1-12-2020 Cities as climate-resilient, connected multimodal nodes for smart and clean mobility: new approaches towards demonstrating and testing innovative solutions

Specific Challenge:  Europe's urban areas are struggling to develop themselves into well-connected multimodal and multi-usage nodes for smart and clean mobility. Multiple trends affect urban and inter-urban areas: urban growth, densification, digitalisation, increasing pressure from freight movements and a shift to a service-oriented economy. Moreover, many European cities and regions areas are committed to develop into zero-emission areas that are well connected with the TEN-T network.

New technologies and innovative measures are emerging, but they are not taken up at a scale that is necessary to meet our climate targets and European transport policy objectives. In many instances, the responsible authorities (often operating at different governance levels) cooperate with public and private stakeholders. But the full integration and implementation of new solutions lags behind because little information, data and tested, innovative solutions are available on their effectiveness and on how to overcome the barriers to successful implementation into older legacy systems and ageing infrastructures.

Scope: This topic is divided in 3 sub-topics


Category: Funding Calls
Skill Level: Beginner

Sennder


sennder – Europe’s #1 digital freight-forwarder platform for Full Truck Loads.

Ssennder is a leading digital road freight forwarder in continental Europe, linking large commercial shippers with small freight carriers. With its in-house-developed platform, sennder provides a new level of automation, transparency and efficiency to the European €300 billion road freight market, which until now has been dependent on paper, phone and fax and characterized by multi-layer subcontracting. sennder’s digital connection to over 10,000 vehicles in all segments allows for almost unlimited capacities, no matter what time of the day. sennder digitalizes the truckload-shipping ecosystem by providing mobile apps to drivers, fleet management tools to carrier managers and logistics management solutions to shippers. Real-time booking, a designated contact person always on hand, as well as precise live tracking, bring full transparency to any logistics supply chain. By integrating directly with the shippers’ Transport Management and Freight Management Systems via APIs and by cutting the multiple middle men, sennder increases efficiency and reduces cost for all stakeholders.

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Efficient and Low Emissions Assets and Energy (TG1)

This Group is currently focussed on supporting the implementation of the “Roadmap Towards Zero Emissions Logistics in 2050” solution areas:

  • Fleets and Assets are Energy Efficient
  • Fleets and Assets use the Lowest Emissions Energy Feasible

(more information)

Additionally the Working Group delivered in 2014 a Research and Innovation roadmap on “Sustainable, Safe and Secure Supply Chains“. In this paper we sketched the context in which companies operate their supply chains in the 21st century. We identified that resource scarcity, demographic trends, safety concerns and security threats at global, regional and local level span the space of feasible supply chain design, planning, control and execution solutions. We envisioned an evolution towards fully integrated supply networks, in which logistics service providers, shippers and authorities closely cooperate. In particular shippers, as the owners of the goods in transit, play a key role; their decisions on product configuration after all determine what to transport.


If your company is a member and you would like to join this group, please contact ALICE secretariat at info@etp-alice.eu so we grant you access.

Have a look to ALICE membership and how to join if you are not sure or if you would like to know more on membership.


Category: ALICE Members Intranet
Skill Level: Beginner
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