Is Automation Enough to Overcome the Labor Shortage?

The Impact of the Labor Shortage

Despite the reported labor shortage, the demand for diagnostic testing is showing no signs of slowing down. Testing workloads continue to increase while the number of qualified technologists remains limited, placing substantial pressure on clinical laboratories who are expected to deliver expedited testing results necessary for clinicians to provide high-quality patient care. These trends contribute to burnout among laboratory professionals. If the core laboratory vacancy rate continues to rise, laboratories may be unable to keep up with growing demands without adopting alternative strategies.

The Importance of Automation to Combat the Labor Shortage

Today, clinical laboratories use many different test methods to meet the increasing demands for laboratory testing. Many of these test methods require significant proficiency and manual test processes, which are inefficient, especially when labs experience staffing shortages. Automation offers a promising solution to counter staffing shortages in clinical laboratories.

Minimize Manual Testing Processes

Medical Laboratory Scientists are a clinical laboratory’s most valuable asset, possessing extensive expertise and knowledge. However, allocating highly skilled resources to perform manual testing processes that could be streamlined by automation is not an efficient use of their abilities. Automation solutions can unlock the full potential of Medical Laboratory Scientists by allowing them to focus on more complex activities, ultimately improving clinical laboratory operations and patient care.

• Automate Sample Handling

  • Automated analyzers can minimize the need for technologists to perform manual processes, saving time and reducing errors
  • Integrating analyzers with Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) can further reduce sample handling processes

• Eliminate Manual Reagent Preparation

  Automation with ready-to-use reagents saves time and reduces errors, freeing technicians to perform more complex tasks

Reduce Hands-on Time

Manual testing activities create clinical laboratory inefficiencies, disrupt workflows, and reduce testing throughput. Additionally, manual processes can lead to fatigue, repetitive motion injuries, and human errors. Automation presents an effective solution to optimize the utilization of staffing and enable technologists to focus on responsibilities that require their advanced skills.

• Automated Data Management

  Manual data entry is time-consuming and prone to errors. Automation can relieve technologists from these tasks and allow them to focus on more productive activities.

  • Barcodes, including 2D barcodes, are used to automatically transmit lot-specific reagent data to an analyzer
  • Bi-directional LIS interfaces send patient test orders and demographics to analyzers and can automatically report test results to Laboratory Information Systems
  • QC data management interfaces automate the delivery of monthly QC data to interlaboratory peer comparison programs
  • Automated record-keeping of analyzer maintenance activities ensures full compliance and traceability for audit records

• Automated Analyzer Maintenance

  Analyzer maintenance routines often require technologists to perform manual processes and can require significant hands-on time. Advanced analyzers are now automating maintenance processes to minimize hands-on time and improve efficiency.

  Remote Support

  Remote support interfaces enable vendor technical support teams to perform analyzer troubleshooting remotely, eliminating the need for technologists to perform these tasks. This minimizes workflow disruptions and can reduce analyzer downtime.

Minimize Excess Testing

The shortage of clinical laboratory technologists poses a significant challenge for clinical laboratories to meet the increasing demand for diagnostic testing. Automation technologies that minimize excess testing processes while improving productivity provide significant help with managing growing workloads and limited staffing resources.

• Multiplex Throughput

  By generating more results from fewer tests, multiplex technology improves result throughput and minimizes testing processes for laboratory staffing.

  Reduce Calibration and QC Testing

  Multiplexed test reagents require only one calibration and quality control run for multiple analytes. This reduces testing processes and improves workflow efficiency when compared to using separate individual test methods.

• Add-on Testing Capabilities

  Analyzers that use multiplex technology can provide additional results to previously processed tests without having to re-run patient samples. This capability can reduce additional testing requirements for reflexive algorithms, resulting in lower workloads for laboratory staff.

Reduce Testing Failures

Technologists require extensive training to manage a multitude of test methods and analyzers. Many test methods are complicated by manual processes and require significant proficiency. Automation solutions can greatly simplify testing processes and reduce the risk of operator errors.

• Eliminate Manual Processing Steps

  By eliminating manual processing steps, automation reduces the hands-on time required by technologists and minimizes the risk of errors that result in costly retesting.³

  Ease-of-use

  Automation solutions can greatly simplify testing, which expedites technician proficiency, and substantially minimizes training time and resource requirements.

• Real-time Assay Monitoring

  Automation solutions may include technologies that complement traditional QC testing by providing real-time monitoring of assay parameters. Integrated quality control technologies help to detect testing failures before batch QC testing is performed. By identifying errors immediately, these technologies can minimize the need for costly retesting.

Embracing automation to unlock the potential of Medical Lab Technologists

The shortage of medical lab technologists has demonstrated that they are the clinical laboratory’s most valuable resource. While technologists are highly educated, their skills are often neutralized by the many manual processes that are prevalent in clinical laboratory testing. By embracing automation solutions, laboratories can minimize hands-on time and streamline workflows, to allow limited staffing to improve productivity and prevent costly errors.