Northwestern Medicine and Vitestro have announced a collaboration to advance automation in phlebotomy. This partnership involves Northwestern Medicine participating in a multicenter clinical trial to validate the performance and safety of Vitestro's Aletta, the first Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device (ARPD). The study aims to provide clinical evidence supporting automated phlebotomy as a scalable solution for blood draw centers in the U.S.
Dr. Gary A. Noskin of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare stated, "Our collaboration with Vitestro is a step forward in transforming diagnostic testing by automating venous blood collection." The initiative seeks to improve efficiency, enhance sample integrity, and redefine patient experiences through technology.
The collaboration targets several objectives: addressing phlebotomy workforce shortages with an automated solution, enhancing operational efficiency in high-volume settings, improving sample quality by reducing manual errors, and expanding access to quality blood collection while increasing patient comfort.
Brian Joseph from Vitestro expressed that they are "privileged to collaborate with Northwestern Medicine in setting a new standard for laboratory automation," emphasizing their mission to empower hospitals with robotic solutions that enhance efficiency and clinical outcomes.
Gregory S. Retzinger of Northwestern Memorial Hospital highlighted the potential of this collaboration not only in evaluating autonomous robotic phlebotomy but also in solving staffing challenges within laboratory medicine. Bob Gerberich from Vitestro added that this partnership marks a significant step toward integrating autonomous blood collection into modern healthcare systems.
Northwestern Medicine operates 11 hospitals and over 200 diagnostic sites across Chicago, providing comprehensive care.
