N E W S

SPRING 2018

Ralph Taylor, CEO

50 years of trusted results. A creative force in the lab of the future.February 20, 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of Sysmex Corporation’s debut in the healthcare diagnostics industry. 2018 will also see both the 15 and 10 year anniversaries of Sysmex America and Sysmex Canada, respectively. Sysmex, established in 1968 as TOA Corporation in Japan, expanded from marketing the first automatic blood counters, to developing and distributing the first automated hematology analyzer in 1975. Today Sysmex’s business expands through a wide range of diagnostic solutions and across continents, delivering solutions for the lab around the world. Always with you, our customers in mind, we’re proud of the groundbreaking products and services Sysmex has developed over the past 5 decades.

Prior to establishing the company, Sysmex R&D had already invented the first automated blood counter ever commercialized in Japan. As a flagship demonstration of the precision, efficiency and value Sysmex products are known for today, it was quickly followed by creation of the first fully automated hematology analyzer. Expanding laboratory problem-solving in the 80’s, Sysmex developed and introduced fully automated blood coagulation and immunochemistry analyzers and the first automated reticulocyte instrument.

By the start of the 21st century, systemic-focused testing methods for building lab technology led to greater clinical and operational value. Prioritizing cost and efficiency, Sysmex continued to innovate, developing the first comprehensive hematology systems available, as well as cutting-edge optimizations to cell imaging and gene amplification aimed at better cancer diagnoses.

Today Sysmex delivers whole-lab solutions, to orchestrate and facilitate productive lab ecosystems. Internet technologies offer insights with holistic indicators to laboratorians and patients with real-time intervention and guidance. In the future, modern technology will simplify healthcare delivery and provide increasingly secure ways to share knowledge and bring testing ever closer to the bedside. Digitally connected health and even artificial intelligence will become better at predicting patient, clinician and laboratorian behavior for better outcomes and reduced costs.

Sysmex’s inquisitive culture and determination to tackle the most complex healthcare challenges is where the company began, and where we will go in the future. Without passionate customers like you alongside us, it would have been impossible to provide innovative solutions to meet the needs of diverse laboratories around the world.

Once again we will be an exhibitor at AACC’s annual conference, set to take place in Chicago this July. There, we will continue our tradition of unveiling exciting new technology for your lab of the future. We hope to see you there and look forward to giving you better and more responsive healthcare solutions—far beyond, and outside of, a better box for another 50 years. ⚜Ralph Taylor CEO

See Page 10 for 2018 Sysmex

Events!

BEST PRACTICE ROADMAP: IMPLEMENTING ACPs AT ENGLEWOOD HOSPITAL, NJ

2 SYSMEX NEWS

Determining the Route

In May of 2016, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center became a new Sysmex customer with the installation of an of an XN-9000TM Automated Hematology System. Englewood Hospital and Medical Center is a 352 bed hospital located in northern New Jersey. Its specialties include cardiac care, orthopedics, cancer care, maternity care, and it is an international leader in patient blood management and bloodless medicine. Considering the patient populations served by this facility, laboratory leadership was interested in reporting the Sysmex Advanced Clinical Parameters (ACPs) which include automated Immature Granulocyte Count (IG), Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Equivalent (RET-He), and Immature Platelet Fraction (IPF). This is their roadmap to success in the implementation and clinical use of the Sysmex ACPs.

The transition to Sysmex was decided by laboratory leadership after careful consideration and evaluation. Part of that decision included the availability and adoption of the ACPs. Once the installation was complete, Brenda Sarduy, Director of the Core Laboratory, reached out to the Sysmex Clinical Support team to help the lab better understand how these new tests would impact the hospital’s initiatives and to help plan how to roll out clinical education.

Identifying Key Drivers

At the same time, Sherri Ozawa, Senior Director of Patient and Family Engagement and Clinical Director Patient Blood Management, was also engaged. Through Sherri’s involvement with

patient blood management, she was familiar with IG, RET-He, IPF and was very involved with the clinical adoption process.

Over the next several months, Sherri and Brenda worked with Sysmex Clinical Support to offer clinical education to several departments and key stake holders including Anesthesia, Hematology/Oncology, Hospital Medicine, Preadmission Testing, and the Infusion Center. The education was tailored to the specific clinical needs of each department and delivered at locations that were convenient to the providers. In addition to the clinical areas, two key committees were provided information specific to their needs, the Sepsis Committee and Patient Blood Management.

Navigating the Way

Within less than a year, the Sepsis Committee added Immature Granulocytes to the Sepsis Protocol and the Patient Blood Management Committee, focused on anemia management, included Reticulocyte Hemoglobin in their order sets. Sherri then used an online survey tool to assess the understanding of these parameters and their clinical utility by the providers. Questions were asked about each parameter separately, in a very short, easy to answer survey.

After a 4 week period, the survey results highlighted two key takeaways. First, providers were using the parameters and were finding each of them impactful. Second, not all providers had an understanding of the tests and further ongoing education would be required. Moving forward to continue their success, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center will offer continued education to its medical staff, including best practice examples.

Reaching the Destination

This roadmap to success started in the lab, traveled along the path of identifying and educating key champions and vested groups, and ended with incorporating the parameters into their clinical protocols and pathways. The process of assessment and continued education is ongoing and this focus is the key to Englewood’s successful journey in the implementation of the Advanced Clinical Parameters.

SPRING 2018 3

Learning More About the Journey

Visit www.sysmex.com/acpclinician for more information regarding the Sysmex parameters or contact the Sysmex Clinical Support Team at scientificmkt@sysmex.com. ⚜

IPF Overview

The Immature Platelet Fraction (IPF%) and the Immature Platelet Count (IPF#) are Advanced Clinical

Parameters developed to help physicians understand the pathophysiological mechanisms in the differential

diagnosis of thrombocytopenia. Measurement of immaturity is based on increased amounts of nucleic acid

in the platelet, similar to the principle of identifying reticulated red cells. The relative and absolute number of

immature platelets can assist in determining if a thrombocytopenia is due to decreased platelet production

by the bone marrow or increased peripheral consumption/destruction of platelets. The IPF% parameter is

available on Sysmex’s XE-SeriesTM and select XN-SeriesTM automated hematology analzyers. The IPF# parameter

is offered on XN-Series analyzers running version 19D software.

In 2017, Sysmex determined reference range intervals to support utilization of the IPF parameter in the

clinical setting. This study of healthy adults, which included 129 females and 118 males, showed the combined

normal range for IPF% to be 1.2% - 8.6 %, and the IPF# range to be 3.6 – 20.0 x103/µL. These results show

good correlation to several independent studies found in the literature. For more information regarding these

studies and use of the IPF parameter with various patient populations, please refer to the Sysmex Value-Driven

Laboratory white paper Immature Platelet Fraction (IPF): An insight into assessment and treatment of platelet

disorders found on the Customer Resource Center website, which is available to Sysmex customers..

Lab and clinical teams collaborate

Patient care optimized and practice standardized

Targeted areas identified and

education initiated

Parameters incorporated into

pathways

Best practices captured & shared

with teams

End users surveyed & additional

education provided

4 SYSMEX NEWS

INTRODUCING THE SYSMEX XWTM-100

Introducing the Sysmex XW™-100. The first, automated, CLIA waived hematology analyzer to offer an accurate, same-visit CBC with differential—and a sample-to-result time of 3 minutes.

THE MOST COMMON TEST YOU ORDER IS NOW UNCOMMONLY

CONVENIENT.

On November 6th, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration cleared the Sysmex XW-100, making it the first CLIA-waived CBC hematology system available for use in near-patient settings. While not intended to replace moderately complex laboratory testing, this analyzer is the latest example of a trend to bring more lab testing capabilities to the near patient environment. The goal is to reduce time to results while improving both the speed and accuracy of patient care. As cleared by the FDA, the Sysmex system provides both a CBC and a three part white blood cell differential that uses the company’s reliable, trusted, and proven technology that has been honed by Sysmex scientists over nearly 50 years.

The intended use for the XW-100 states it is “Not for use in diagnosing or monitoring patients with primary or secondary chronic hematologic diseases or disorders, oncology patients, critically ill patients, or patients under the age of two.”

In February, McKesson Medical-Surgical and Sysmex announced plans for McKesson to be the exclusive distribution partner for the new XW-100.

“Our partnership with McKesson allows us to offer this breakthrough product to physicians through the largest and most established health care company in the United States,” said Andy Hay, Chief Operating Officer for Sysmex America. “The XW-100 expands Sysmex into new health care markets, including pediatrics, urgent care, surgery centers and health systems. McKesson is uniquely qualified to connect Sysmex and this device with the physicians serving patients at primary care practices throughout America.”

Recently teams from McKesson and Sysmex attended a training workshop in preparation for the for the XW-100 product launch

planned for later this spring.

To learn more about the Sysmex XW-100 visit www.cbcin3.com. ⚜

XW-100 CLIA waived hematology analyzer

SPRING 2018 5

MULTISPECIES ANALYZERS FOR ANIMAL SCIENCES

The XN-V multispecies analyzer for animal research is modeled after the popular XN-Series Automated Hematology Analyzer that has been in use for human clinical diagnostics since 2012. The unit allows for aspiration volumes of 50 µL or 88 µL, is capable of automated analysis for standard tubes as well as raised bottom microtainers, and has a body fluid analysis mode that offers closed tube testing. Similar to its predecessor, the XT-2000iV, the new XN-V analyzer uses a combination of impedance counting and flow cytometry to obtain results on a wide range of species. The XN-V uses specialized software with pre-defined gating for 13 different animal species, 50 subspecies, and the ability to design and store up to an additional 99 customized gating profiles. Discrete testing profiles can be stored for each species and results can be electronically saved and retransmitted to the LIS if re-gating of the scattergrams is required.

To meet the needs of small research labs and large commercial veterinary labs alike, Sysmex offers scalable automation options. The XN-V is available as a standalone unit, a multi-unit system, and even configurable to include the SP-50 Slidemaker/Stainer. Additional laboratory efficiency can be achieved with the addition of the CellaVision Veterinary multispecies analyzer for digital imaging. There are two models available: the DM1200 Vet with a loading capacity up to 12 slides, and the DM9600 Vet that can have up to 96 slides loaded continuously.

These models allow for standardization by replacing manual microscopy with automatic cell location and pre-classification of cells specific to species. Remote viewing software permits sharing of cell images to allow collaboration and consultation between the researcher and laboratorians. The combined hematology multispecies platform delivers advanced technology that is unique to Sysmex.

To view Dr. Criswell’s webinar, along with the entire virtual event, visit the LabRoots website: https://www.labroots.com/virtual-event/lab-animal-science-2018.

To learn more about the Sysmex® XN-V Series™ and the CellaVision® Vet analyzers, visit us at:

https://www.sysmex.com/US/en/Products/Hematology-Multispecies/Pages/overview.aspx. ⚜

On February 7th of this year Sysmex sponsored a webinar presentation by Dr. Kay Criswell PhD, DABT, SBB, MT(ASCP) titled “Interpretation of Hematology Veterinary Scattergrams in Normal and Pathologic Conditions”. The webinar was part of the 7th annual Laboratory Animal Sciences virtual conference hosted by LabRoots, a social networking website that offers educational virtual events that contribute to the advancement of science through content sharing and collaboration. In this presentation, Dr. Criswell explored the interpretation of multi-species scattergrams in normal and pathologic conditions using case studies from the XT-2000iV™ analyzer as well as the new XN-V™ platform.

Kay Criswell, PhD, DABT, SBB, MT(ASCP)

XN-2000VTM Multispecies Hematology Analyzer

CellaVision Vet DM9600

6 SYSMEX NEWS

SYSMEX AMERICA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOME DEDICATION

In February Sysmex America attended the dedication ceremony for the 2017 Sysmex-sponsored Habitat for Humanity home.

Beginning last summer, more than 100 Sysmex associates volunteered to build a home for the Lewis family, who reside in North Chicago, IL. During the ceremony the family was presented with a blanket handmade by a Sysmex associate.

After dedication remarks, the ceremony concluded with the presentation of the key, marking official ownership of the new home by the Lewis family.

Congratulations to the Lewis family! ⚜

Sysmex America, Inc. Named to Center for Companies That Care’s 2018 Honor Roll

Company named for tenth consecutive year

Recently, the Center for Companies That Care announced its 16th Honor Roll, a national list recognizing employers for outstanding workplace practices and active community involvement. The Honor Roll celebrates U.S.-based organizations of all sizes in diverse industries. The 2018 Honor Roll includes 60% privately held and 40% publicly traded organizations, as well as nonprofit employers representing a diverse array of industries and states. Sysmex America, Inc. is pleased to be named for the 10th consecutive year.

Honor Roll employers are selected for their adherence to all Center for Companies That Care’s ten characteristics of socially responsible employers. Each shows its unwavering commitment to employees and community service. Sysmex America is honored

to again be recognized as a company that cares! ⚜

SPRING 2018 7

SYSMEX AMERICA SUPPORTS ALL-GIRLS FIRST LEGO ROBOTICS LEAGUE

This past fall, Quirin Matthys, a Service Engineer in Minneapolis, co-coached a rare all-girls FIRST LEGO League robotics team which included his daughter Isabel, an 8th grader. FIRST LEGO League is an international robotics competition organized for elementary through early high school students each fall or early winter. It introduces a scientific and real-world challenge for teams to focus and do research on and this year’s theme was “Hydrodynamics.” Sysmex America provided financial sponsorship for this female team of budding engineers for the 2017 season due to the focus on technology and innovation.

The team, H2Robo, was made up of eight girls between 11-14 years of age who trained for a minimum of five hours per week with multiple coaches learning advanced technology and teamwork. The robotics competition included four areas, each being 25% of their total score:

1. Creation and demonstration of a team project explaining how to apply technology to solve a real-world problem – to find, transport, use or dispose of water. H2Robo’s project was a small add-on to a shower head that output a tone when 15 gallons of water had been used, then every 5 gallons after that to help monitor and keep the user aware of water usage. They determined this could be used commercially at venues like hotels as well as in homes.

2. Learning and promoting FIRST LEGO League Core Values, which included working to find solutions with guidance from their coaches and mentors, honoring the spirit of friendly competition, displaying gracious professionalism and cooperation in everything they did, and focusing on discovery over winning.

3. A robotics competition where they spent a great deal of time. They spent a great deal of time learning to build and program LEGO EV3 Robots to complete specific missions on a specially designed field in a determined time frame in front of judges, other teams and fans. This required design and testing, organizational skills, mechanical engineering, and lots of creativity.

4. The H2Robo team’s robot and robotics programming were evaluated closely by industry professionals. The team explained how they came up with their robot design, why they programed it particular ways for specific missions, and relayed testing methods as well as their idea logbook to judges for feedback. This allowed judges to examine and question their methods and procedures, and required the team to answer their challenges.

H2Robo received the 5th highest score for the robotics competition section out of 66 teams AND the team was awarded the Most Innovative Robot Design trophy! This competition season required growth in communication skills, creative design,

innovative thinking, and resourcefulness. It proved to have a high learning curve, but it was a fantastic experience for all. ⚜

8 SYSMEX NEWS

SYSMEX CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH GREEN & BLUE DAY

SPRING 2018 9

February 20th Sysmex associates from around the world celebrated the international company’s 50th anniversary with a Green & Blue dress day. Check out photos below from Sysmex America, Sysmex Canada and Sysmex Latin America. Sysmex smiles all around. ⚜

10 SYSMEX NEWS

SYSMEX EVENTS 2018

April 3 – 4 Iowa ASCLS/CLMA 2018 Spring Meeting

Holiday Inn – Des Moines Airport Des Moines, IA

April 4 – 6 2018 Ohio Collaborative Laboratory Conference DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Columbus-Worthington Columbus, OH

April 11 – 13 ASCLS-Michigan Annual Meeting & Exhibits The Inn at St. John’s Conference Center Plymouth, MI

April 12 - 13 ASCLS-Montana Spring Meeting Helena Great Northern Hotel, Helena, MT

April 12 - 13 Southeast Flow Cytometry Interest Group The Hilton Memphis, Memphis, TN

April 14 - 18 AACR Annual Meeting 2018 Booth # 2538, McCormick Place North/South Chicago, IL

April 16 – 17 ASCLS ND Annual Meeting Ramada Inn, Fargo, ND

April 18 - 20 Clinical Laboratory Scientists of Alaska 2018 Spring Lab Conference

Hilton Hotel, Anchorage, AK

April 19 – 21 Idaho State ASCLS Spring Show Red Lion Hotel, Twin Falls, ID

April 19 ASCLS-NJ 2018 Spring Seminar & Expo The Imperia Banquet & Conference Center Somerset, NJ

April 23 - 25 Minnesota Clinical Laboratory Collective Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center, MN

April 24 – 26 American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science - Central New England 70th Clinical Laboratory Science Convention & Exhibits

Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI

April 25 – 26 ASCLS-WI State Convention Crowne Plaza Milwaukee Airport, Milwaukee, WI

May 1 – 2 Executive War College Sheraton New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

May 1 – 3 2018 Vizient Connections Summit Bellagio Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

May 4 – 5 Clinical Laboratory Collaborative Conference 2018 Ramada Plaza and Convention Center Northglenn, CO

May 4 – 8 Immunology 2018 Booth #1108, Austin Convention Center Austin, TX

May 6 – 9 UCAOA Urgent Care Booth #628, Paris Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

May 6 – 9 CLMA Knowledge Lab Booth #400, Long Beach Convention Center Long Beach, CA

May 16 – 17 Hawaii Clinical Laboratory Conference Honolulu Country Club, Honolulu, HI

May 20 – 23 Elevate 2018 – Intalere Member Conference Booth #423, Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Orlando, FL

May 30 – June 2 COLA’s 2018 Symposium for Clinical Laboratories Hyatt Regency, Miami, FL

June 19 – 22 Premier Annual Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center Nashville, TN

Following is a sampling of the events we are going to be at this spring. If you are there, stop by and see us!

April

May

June

SPRING 2018 1 1

SYSMEX EDUCATIONAL WEBINAR SERIES SPRING 2018

APRIL 11, 2018

Managed QC with BeyondCareSM Quality Monitor: Quantifying the Impact on Lab Quality Metrics

Craig Vilk, MT(ASCP)SHCM, Hematology Technical Specialist, MultiCare Health System, Tacoma, WA

BeyondCare Quality Monitor is a revolutionary new way to monitor analyzer performance, minimize downtime and maximize efficiency. This simplified approach to real-time quality assurance monitoring can detect slight changes in analyzer performance as they happen, which can impact not only laboratory performance but hospital performance as well.

MAY 9, 2018

Troubleshooting Hematology Abnormal Samples and Spurious Results

Heather Lai, MLS(ASCP)SHCM, Clinical Instructor of Hematology/Coagulation/Urinalysis, UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, IA

Abnormal patient parameters and spurious results can cause frustration in Hematology testing. This presentation will use patient case studies to discuss troubleshooting tips for differentiating spurious results from true abnormal results, including alternate methods that may be used to obtain accurate results with problem samples.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THEM, VIEW THESE WEBINARS ON-DEMAND www.sysmex.com/webinars

Evaluation of Neonatal Anemia and Thrombocytopenia

Martha Sola-Visner, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard University, Boston, MA

This session will review the incidence, clinical significance, and diagnostic evaluation of anemia, iron deficiency and thrombocytopenia in neonates. I will also discuss the clinical utility of current tools and parameters to assist in the evaluation of anemia, iron deficiency and thrombocytopenia in the neonatal population, including recent studies on Reticulocyte Hemoglobin (RET-He) and the Immature Platelet Fraction.

Laboratory Value Pyramid as the Essential Blueprint for Volume-to-Value Journey

Denise Uettwiller-Geiger, PhD, DLM (ASCP), Clinical Chemist and Director of Clinical Trials, John T. Mather Memorial Hospital, Port Jefferson, NY

The Laboratory Value Pyramid is a useful model for moving clinical laboratories from their current state to a best-of-class laboratory performer. This session provides a real-world perspective on how one laboratory team is using the Laboratory Value Pyramid as their blueprint and guide to support the lab’s transition from a volume-based operational model to an added-value-based model which is essential for success in the future.

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Sysmex America, Inc.

577 Aptakisic Road

Lincolnshire, IL 60069

SPRING 2018

Sysmex America AACC Exhibition 2018

AACC’s annual meeting is fast approaching. Stay tuned for our next issue to learn about the latest technology for the lab from Sysmex America. We launched 17 products in 2017 and we are excited to share the latest innovations for medical labs, this year in Chicago.

Our 50th year – and AACC’s 70th!

Lab Week Is Just Around the Corner

April 22 – 28 is Lab Week 2018! We’d love to see you celebrate. Share your photos on social media and tag us, so we can share your images on our pages or in print.

Use the hashtags #LabWeek and/or #Lab4Life on Facebook or Twitter, and be sure to @SysmexAmerica on Twitter or tag Sysmex America on Facebook so we see your photos.

Or send your photos to Communications@Sysmex.com.