Siemens Healthineers today announced that it has launched capillary testing on its Atellica CH, IM, and CI analyzers after receiving CE marks for 24 capillary blood testing claims. This is an advancement in capillary testing that provides clinical laboratories with greater confidence in test results and higher throughput. Atellica analyzer capillary testing supports the most common laboratory testing needs, including a comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, and key assays including thyroid, vitamin D, and HbA1c. Blood collection for capillary testing is often done through a finger prick or heel stick, rather than the standard blood draw that involves inserting a needle directly into a vein (venipuncture), providing flexibility to meet a patient’s diverse testing needs.
The capillary testing menu expands the tests that can be performed in our core lab, allowing us to serve more patients and meet more testing needs. All using the same systems you already trust. Our efforts to expand our capillary testing menu are built on our broad vision to make testing more accessible, efficient and patient-friendly. ”
Sharon Bracken, Head of Diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers
Why are CoreLab analyzer capillary test claims important?
Capillary claims provide verified capillary performance data on the label, which is not otherwise standard practice in core clinical testing. Laboratories that previously offered this method likely took additional steps to verify capillary test performance and ensure test results were accurate, as collection methods can affect not only the accuracy but also the quality of test results. For these reasons, many laboratories still rely on venous blood draws for testing, even as patient access challenges, staffing shortages, and demands for faster turnaround times continue to increase.
Why are capillary blood tests becoming popular?
Capillary blood sampling provides a practical testing option for patients with difficult veins or low blood volumes, where repeated venipuncture tests may be harmful. It is also useful for patients with trypanophobia (fear of needles) or other disorders that make venipuncture difficult. Capillary testing on Siemens Healthineers’ Atellica analyzers provides labs with the flexibility to diversify their testing approaches, whether they want to expand their testing capabilities to serve underserved patients or support existing patients with more expansive testing capabilities than they currently offer.
Is the Siemens Healthineers capillary test available in the US?
Siemens Healthineers offers four assays with capillary claims in the United States: total protein (TP_2), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and triiodothyronine (T3). As part of a broader strategy to help laboratories expand their patient testing offerings and simplify their operations, Siemens Healthineers has filed an additional capillary test application with the FDA, subject to regulatory review.
