Carysta serum chemistry machine is bigger and faster, but do you need it?

Say it with me: kuh-RIS-tuh. Carysta HVC is designed to bring reference laboratory quality testing in house, run high volumes of samples, improve work flow and cut down on lab technician time. But do you really need this machine? In regards to who benefits most from investing in this beast, Richard Goldstein, DVM, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA-executive director and chief medical officer of Zoetis U.S. Diagnostics-had this to say:

So, how much volume justifies buying this machine?

Dr. Goldstein says that if you're running seven to 10 samples a day, then you could benefit from having this machine. He also says most clients are reporting that their lab volume production expands after they purchase Carysta HVC-not having to inject slides improves lab efficiency.

OMG, no more slides?!

Carysta HVC has 37 preprogrammed specialty and routine panels that can also be run as singles and uses a liquid reagent that needs to be replaced every 200 tests.

Specialists dig it

Ever get referral records and see that that specialist ordered more bloodwork on your patient, even though you sent your in-house labs with the referral record? That's because specialists want the more accurate testing that is done at reference labs, now, perhaps, with Carysta. Other cool things: The machine can power through hemolysis and lipemia, and it auto-dilutes if the sample is out of the reference range.

What's it cost?

Carysta HVC's pricing structure is complicated, but retail price is likely $10K to $15K more than other smaller systems on the market. You can also lease Carysta HVC for roughly $600 to $700 a month, but there's a discount on the cost of the machine if yours is a high-volume practice. Zoetis will also give you trade-in credit on your current chemistry machine toward purchasing the machine.

Zoetis says they'll have a model to look at in the exhibit hall at Fetch dvm360 in Kansas City….