Lab Renovations: Better Accuracy, Quicker Results

Winchester Hospital processes nearly 6,000 specimens every day in its labs. To make the process safer and more efficient, the hospital’s two labs – the core lab located at West Cummings Park in Woburn and the lab located at the main hospital – have undergone major renovations.

The core lab, which primarily processes outpatient specimens, is now fully automated. Instead of processing all the samples by hand, there is a new state-of-the-art automated process for testing.

“This will lead to better quality, accuracy, efficiency and turnaround times,” said Larry Pickering, associate director of Laboratory Services. 

The advanced technology allows patients to receive results from their doctor even faster. The automation scans the bar code on a specimen and immediately identifies the patient, what tests they need and which specialized area in the lab the sample needs to go to.

“This process will save a lot of time, and will lead to a safer, more efficient system,” said Pickering.

But while human intervention may be decreased, it is still very prevalent. The automated system allows staff to focus more of their time processing and analyzing the abnormal test results.

Winchester Hospital’s labs now have state-of-the-art technology that will improve the accuracy and produce quicker test results for patients.

“The technology we have with these renovations is right there with the best hospitals in Boston,” Pickering said.

Winchester Hospital has 17 specimen collection sites (see list below) making it convenient for patients to have their lab work done (blood draws, etc.).

Learn more about our laboratory services.

Collection Sites

Billerica

  • 790 Boston Road

Medford

  • 92 High St., Suite DH28
  • 75 Riverside Ave.

North Andover

  • 100 Bypass Road, Suite 300

North Reading

  • 203 Main St.

Reading

  • 20 Pond Meadow Drive, Suite 106

Stoneham

  • 3 Woodland Road, Suite 209
  • 88 Montvale Ave.

Wilmington

  • 500 Salem St.

Winchester

  • 955 Main St., Suite G1
  • 11 Shore Road
  • 620 Washington St.
  • 41 Highland Ave.

Woburn

  • 23 Warren Ave., Suite 120
  • 7 Alfred St., Suite 170
  • 800 West Cummings Park, Suite 2500