Modern laboratories require not only high accuracy of results, but also maximum efficiency of workflow processes. For this reason, automation and the reduction of additional manual verification steps have become some of the key criteria for choosing hematology equipment.
The Atellica HEMA series represents a new generation of hematology analyzers by Siemens Healthineers, developed based on the company's many years of experience in laboratory diagnostics.
Practical Experience with Atellica HEMA in Modern European Laboratories
In 2025, one of the largest clinical laboratory networks in the United Kingdom – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – transitioned from ADVIA 2120i systems to the new Atellica HEMA 570 and Atellica HEMA 580 analyzers [1].
To evaluate the effectiveness of the transition to Atellica HEMA, laboratory data collected before and after the replacement of ADVIA 2120i systems were analyzed. The study was conducted from January to October 2025 and included 882,555 complete blood count tests and 25,478 cases requiring additional blood smear microscopy [1].
The main objective was to assess whether the frequency of blood smear microscopy would change after the transition to the new systems.
Why Is It Important to Maintain a Balanced Rate of Additional Blood Smear Microscopy?
Blood smears are examined under a microscope when a hematology analyzer detects abnormalities or suspicious parameters that require additional morphological evaluation by a specialist. This may be necessary to confirm the presence of atypical cells, immature leukocyte forms, erythrocyte morphology abnormalities, or other pathological signs of significant clinical importance [2, 3].
At the same time, an excessive number of such additional tests may increase laboratory staff workload, affect turnaround time, and reduce overall laboratory efficiency. Therefore, modern hematology analyzers must provide highly accurate automated analysis while minimizing the number of samples requiring additional microscopy.
However, it is important not only to reduce the number of such cases, but also to maintain an optimal balance between automation and clinical safety. An excessively low rate of samples referred for microscopic evaluation may potentially indicate insufficient system sensitivity to pathological changes. For this reason, a stable and controlled rate of additional microscopy is considered an important characteristic of modern high-throughput hematology systems.
How Did the Need for Additional Microscopy Change After the Transition to Atellica HEMA?
According to the study results, the average rate of additional blood smear microscopy was only 2.89% when using ADVIA 2120i systems [1].
During the active transition phase in July 2025, a slight temporary increase in this parameter was observed; however, during the following months, the rate stabilized and returned to its previous level.
The authors concluded that implementation of Atellica HEMA 570 and Atellica HEMA 580 didn’t lead to a significant increase in the number of samples requiring additional microscopy, and laboratory personnel were able to adapt quickly to the new technology [1].
Importantly, the rate of additional microscopy didn’t decrease excessively. The results obtained demonstrate that Atellica HEMA provides a balance between laboratory automation and preservation of the necessary level of specialist review in clinically significant cases.
Advantages of Atellica HEMA
Atellica HEMA systems are designed for laboratories with high sample throughput and provide:
- high productivity;
- automation of routine processes;
- reduction in user intervention;
- stability and reproducibility of results;
- laboratory workflow optimization.
The Atellica HEMA series is the latest generation of Siemens Healthineers technology in the field of laboratory diagnostics and supports efficient operation in high-workload laboratory environments.
Conclusion
Experience from large clinical laboratories shows that switching to the Atellica HEMA allows for a consistently low rate of additional blood smear microscopy without compromising the quality of laboratory control. This allows laboratories to sustain efficient workflows, optimize staff workload, and at the same time ensure the necessary level of morphological evaluation in clinically important cases.
The results obtained indicate that Atellica HEMA systems effectively combine modern automation capabilities with reliable algorithms for identifying samples that require additional specialist attention. This is particularly important for laboratories with high testing volumes and strict requirements for speed and quality of operation.
References:
- Radford S., Barmpoudi A., Smith A., Gibbs G. Comparison of Blood Film Review Rates between Atellica HEMA and ADVIA 2120i Hematology Analyzers. NHS Trust. 2026.
- Lynch E. C. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. 1990.
- Kratz A., Lee S., Zini G. et al. Digital morphology analyzers in hematology: ICSH review and recommendations. INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL for STANDARDIZATION in HAEMATOLOGY. 2019.