Artel Salutes Lab Week 2012 Pipetting Challenge Contestants

Artel Brings Pipetting Challenge Competition to Labs Across the Country

Westbrook, ME (June 6, 2012) – Artel, the worldwide leader in laboratory liquid handling quality assurance and performance verification, congratulates all the contestants that took part in this year’s Pipetting Challenge during the National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, April 22 to 28. During the competition, teams consisting of 10 lab technologists were given the chance to test their pipetting skills and win gold, silver, and bronze medals for precise liquid dispensing.

Nearly 400 technicians participated in the competition, testing their pipetting skills in their own laboratories using the Artel PCS Pipette Calibration System, which enables users to rapidly assess, record and compile the volumes delivered by the pipette. Each contestant was asked to deliver 20 µL five times and the variation in the volumes delivered was measured.

Teams from ARUP Laboratories in Salt Lake City, UT, took first and second place with scores of 0.091 %CV and 0.123 %CV. Haematologic Technologies in Essex Junction, VT, came in third with a score of 0.124 %CV.

“We would like to congratulate all the contestants that took part in this fun, team-building event, designed to highlight how practice and training can improve pipetting technique and minimize a major source of laboratory error,” said Kirby Pilcher, President of Artel. “Every day, life-changing medical decisions are made based upon the data generated by highly skilled laboratory workers, so it is reassuring to see clinical laboratories such as ARUP and Haematologic taking such pride in ensuring their technicians practice good technique.”

On being informed of ARUP’s remarkable one-two finish, Edward Ashwood, MD, president and CEO of ARUP Laboratories, said, “Two years ago, we implemented our pipette competency training program and we are proud of our lab technologists who have won this competition. It serves as a testimony to our commitment to training and quality assurance.  At ARUP, we put the patient first and we are committed to providing the highest quality laboratory services to our clients.”

In addition to awarding medals during Lab Week, Artel provides a series of tips to help coach participants on proper pipetting technique. To gain access to technique-improving tips, share experiences and post pictures and videos of the Artel Pipetting Challenge: Lab Week 2012, visit the Artel Pipetting Challenge Facebook page (www.facebook.com/artelpipettingchallenge).


About Artel

Founded in 1982, Artel specializes in applying proprietary ratiometric photometry-based technology to solve liquid handling quality, productivity and compliance challenges for laboratories in a wide range of industries including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, regulatory bodies, academia, clinical diagnostics, forensics, public health, food quality and safety and environmental testing.

Artel also provides a broad and fully customizable range of quality assurance support, training and consultation services including Liquid Handler Performance Verification services for automated laboratories, on-site Pipetting Technique Training and Quality Management Certification for pipette users and laboratory managers.