Robotic Duo 'Tarzan and Jane' Revolutionize Laboratory Work at St. Paul's Hospital

In the heart of Vancouver, a robotic pair named Tarzan and Jane is revolutionizing the way St. Paul's Hospital handles its microbiology samples. These robots, powered by cutting-edge artificial intelligence, have taken over a significant portion of the labor by processing up to 70% of all samples received by the lab.

Introducing Advanced Automation

With the implementation of the state-of-the-art $1-million WASPLab, short for "walk-away specimen processor," Tarzan and Jane have become integral team members. They meticulously unscrew specimen tubes and carefully plate samples onto bacterial culture dishes. Their roles, although not flashy, are critical in managing the upwards of 145,000 microbiological samples that come through the lab annually from B.C. and Yukon.

AI in Microbial Diagnostics

While automation in laboratories is not novel, the distinctive use of AI by WASPLab represents a pioneering advancement for Western Canada. The system excels at assessing and sorting culture plates, distinguishing bacterial growths, and alerting the staff about samples requiring further analysis.

Easing the Workload

Dr. Marc Romney, the head of medical microbiology and virology at St. Paul's, emphasized the significant alleviation of mundane tasks that the robots have provided to doctors and lab technicians. The implementation of Tarzan and Jane allows lab personnel to focus on more complex undertakings rather than tedious manual processes.

Efficient and Reliable Workers

Following two months at the facility, the robots have been commended for their efficiency and ability to handle large sample volumes without fuss. Lab staff, initially wary of their jobs being usurped by machines, have come to appreciate the robots for easing their workload and benefiting workflow.

Robots' Contribution to the Lab

Tarzan and Jane each bring their unique skill set to the lab. Tarzan handles the 'heavy lifting' of specimen preparation, while Jane performs the delicate task of streaking the specimens onto culture plates. After incubation, the AI steps in to sort the positive samples from the negative ones, a process that used to be labor-intensive for humans.

Human Oversight Remains Crucial

Despite their proficiency, Tarzan and Jane are not infallible. Occasional errors and mishaps, like dropping tubes, reaffirm the need for human oversight to correct such mistakes.

The Future with Robots and AI in Healthcare

While robots and AI are becoming increasingly present in healthcare settings, Dr. Romney assures that they will not fully replace the need for medical professionals. He envisions a future where technology supports and elevates the efficiency of healthcare but acknowledges the importance of human intervention, especially as patient care complexities rise.

As the hospital anticipates the opening of a new facility in 2027, plans include the introduction of another WASPLab, underscoring the growing role of automation and AI in the medical field.

robots, automation, healthcare