News

In 2024 we completed the project to improve the Preanalytical area and the core of the Biochemistry area by incorporating new preanalytical equipment, a new analysis chain for spectrophotometric and immunochemical techniques, and a postanalytical system consisting of 2 automated refrigerators, with a storage capacity of up to 27,000 samples each. All this has allowed us to optimize the production and management of the core, personalizing workflows and sample management; increasing automation, minimizing tasks without added value and reducing human errors, as well as improving efficiency in the healthcare process with the results delivered to doctors and patients. This Video shows the facilities and the history of the change.

Catlab has achieved the "Green & Sustainable Laboratories" certification promoted by the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM), becoming the first laboratory operating in the public sector in Spain to achieve this status and one of the few in all of Europe. This certification contributes to a sustainable healthcare system and ensures that laboratories are environmentally friendly, ensuring that resources are used efficiently from ecological, social, and economic perspectives, while providing high-quality services to patients. To achieve this certification, Catlab must: ✅ Adequate control of hazardous chemical products and reagents ✅ Manage energy and water to reduce consumption ✅ Proper management of waste generated in the laboratory from a sustainability perspective ✅ Involve suppliers throughout the entire process to reduce the carbon footprint. With this certification, we reinforce our commitment to excellence and social commitment, demonstrating that analytical quality and innovation can go hand in hand with respect for the environment and sustainability.

There are 2 new readings of these newsletters available: -February: Procalcitonin and sepsis in the critically ill patient (click here) Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to a bacterial infection. Each hour of delay in diagnosis, attributable to lack of recognition during patient admission, is associated with a 7% reduction in survival. Procalcitonin (PCT) has revolutionized the management of sepsis, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and more efficient antibiotic management. The determination of PCT helps us to predict bacterial infection, distinguishing it from viral infections and other inflammatory processes, and differentiating between localized and systemic bacterial infections. -January: Multiple Myeloma Genetic Analysis (click here) Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological cancer that affects the plasma cells of the bone marrow and detection of chromosomal alterations is essential for its diagnosis and prognosis. Genetic abnormalities include primary changes such as IGH gene rearrangements and secondary changes such as TP53 deletion, which influence survival and response to treatment. A key tool for identifying these alterations is the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, which allows the detection of specific chromosomal abnormalities in plasma cells. At Catlab we perform the MultiFISH technique that facilitates the analysis of the most relevant genetic alterations in one go, improving the diagnosis and personalization of the treatment.

Last April, the external certification audit for the UNE-EN ISO 14001:2015 standard was successfully passed at the "Laboratori Central de Viladecavalls". With the implementation of this standard, constant improvement in environmental management is promoted.

Society's expectations for sustainable development, transparency and accountability have evolved in the context of increasingly stringent legislation, increasing pressure on environmental pollution, inefficient use of resources, mismanagement of resources, climate change, ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss.This has led organizations to take a systematic approach to environmental management through the implementation of environmental management systems.It is in this context that the international standard ISO 14001 "Environmental Management Systems - Requirements with a focus on its use" aims to provide organizations with a frame of reference to protect the environment and respond to changing environmental conditions, in balance with socio-economic needs.

ENAC (Entidad Nacional de Acreditación) has issued a release on the accreditation of the real-time PCR test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by Catlab. It is the first laboratory that can issue reports with the ENAC mark for this test in Spain. For years now, Catlab has had most of its activity accredited by the UNE-EN ISO 15189 standard, which ensures not only its quality management system, but also the technical competence of the equipment, and the personnel involved in the process.

In this article from mon.cat, Catlab director Imma Caballé explains the experience of our Laboratory in carrying out PCR tests at the start of the pandemic, the results of the immunity studies, and the prospects for the near future.

From early March, Catlab began to detect SARS-CoV-2, first using the PCR technique, and later with serologies.These videos briefly explain how these techniques are performed and Catlab's involvement in detecting and monitoring COVID19 disease.- Covid19 i Catlab (1). El laboratori amb més activitat acreditada- Covid19 i Catlab (2). Abast territorial- Covid19 i Catlab (3). La PCR de SARS-CoV-2- Covid19 i Catlab (4). Projectes i estudis

In this article from ARA, Catlab microbiologist Emma Padilla talks about the usefulness of current serological tests; of rapid tests and their reliability, and the strategies to estimate seroprevalence.

This week we have begun to collect samples to perform the COVID19 PCR from nursing homes. Different media echo the help that Open Arms volunteers will provide in the Regió Metropolitana Nord de l’ICS. Among other tasks, they will help to collect the samples and send them to Catlab.- CCMA- Nació Digital- el9nou- Punt Vallès

From the beginning of March, in Catlab, at the Viladecavalls Central Laboratory facilities, SARS CoV2 Detection (COVID-19) was launched. It is performed using the PCR technique, and the work shifts were extended to be able to assume all the samples that were received. On April 15, it is working 24 hours a day, and more than 18,000 determinations have already been made.We attach a link of the interview and the BTV video where the facilities appear from Catlab, and a Europa Press article on the different tests to detect SARS CoV2 (COVID-19).

This article shows the results of this study and how most of the risks are in preanalytical processes. Identifying the risks and assessing them allows establishing improvement actions that contribute to increasing patient safety. We attach the article.