Strategies for Managing Increased Testing Volumes

Effective Approaches for Handling Rising Testing Workloads

Laboratories worldwide have grappled with numerous challenges due to increased testing workloads. This has led to the development of several highly effective solutions.

• Workflow Automation

  One of the primary strategies for managing increased testing volumes is through automation. Automation can complete routine mundane tasks with accuracy and speed to deliver high-performance results. By automating various processes, laboratories can streamline their operations, reduce human errors, and significantly increase the testing capacity. This allows laboratory personnel to focus more on value-added tasks that require their expertise and judgment, ultimately improving overall efficiency.

  Personnel Training

  With the implementation of automated solutions, the need for specialized and highly trained staff is reduced. Laboratories can invest in training their personnel to operate and maintain automated systems, ensuring they are proficient in utilizing these technologies. Reallocating staff members to value-added tasks that require human expertise helps laboratories make the most of their workforce and optimize operations.

• Process Optimization

  Lab directors should proactively identify critical tasks that can only be performed by staff, such as data interpretation and result analysis. By optimizing these processes, laboratories can ensure that staff members are utilizing their skills and knowledge in areas that require human intervention. This approach maximizes the efficiency of the workforce and enables the laboratory to handle increased testing volumes more effectively.

Key Points for Managing Increased Volumes

Laboratory directors can adopt several key mindsets as they explore opportunities to manage increased testing volumes.

• Plan Ahead

  Sample testing volumes are expected to continue increasing. Laboratories must plan by monitoring the trends in their esoteric/send-out test volumes. Identifying these trends early on allows laboratories to take proactive measures, such as bringing certain tests in-house to manage the growing workload effectively.

  Maximize Throughput

  Laboratories need not accept low result throughput as the norm. Incorporating multiplexing techniques—utilizing advanced systems like Bio-Rad's BioPlex 2200 System, which allows multiple tests to be performed simultaneously—can drive efficient results generation.

  Minimize Turnaround Time

  Specialty clinics, such as rheumatology or women's clinics, often require specific tests with longer turnaround times. By bringing these specialty tests in-house and leveraging automation, laboratories can improve their turnaround time and help enhance overall patient care by providing faster test results.

• Optimize Space

  Consolidation of multiple test systems into one system and the transition from manual and semi-automated systems to fully automated systems can help optimize space utilization. By streamlining equipment and processes, laboratories can make efficient use of limited space and accommodate increased testing volumes.

  Prioritize Quality

  Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of test results is crucial. High rejection rates due to errors can not only impact the laboratory's reputation but also reduce efficiency and lengthen turnaround time. Laboratories must prioritize test quality by implementing rigorous quality control measures, continuous training programs, and adherence to industry standards and guidelines.

A Practical Approach to Handling Increased Testing Volumes

Implementing automation with the BioPlex 2200 System has helped several laboratories leverage advanced automation technology to overcome challenges around increased testing volumes. Successful outcomes include results from the following two clinical laboratories.

Laboratory A

Implementation of the BioPlex 2200 System at Laboratory A, a prominent regional reference laboratory in the western United States, yielded impressive results, notably in the reduction of time required to obtain the first result. Impressively, the laboratory was able to consolidate autoimmune and infectious disease testing spread across three different instruments onto one BioPlex 2200 System with a connection to a track line. Consolidating this instrumentation decreased the time to first result from 26 hours and 16 minutes down to 3 hours and 21 minutes, an 88% improvement. The laboratory witnessed a remarkable 76% reduction in manual touchpoints, significantly minimizing the chances of errors.

Laboratory B

Laboratory B, one of the largest laboratories in Israel, performed a workflow evaluation prior to and after implementing a Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) solution connecting their BioPlex 2200 Systems for autoimmune testing. Laboratory B's testing workflows suffered from a substantial amount of non-value-added time and an excessive number of manual touchpoints. These issues impeded the timely delivery of patient results and constrained the laboratory's capacity to meet the increasing testing demands. By integrating the BioPlex 2200 System and Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) systems, Laboratory B saw a 16% reduction in non-value-added time and a 21% reduction in non-value-added touchpoints.

These outcomes highlight the potential for streamlined workflows, enhanced space utilization, a reduction of manual labor, and faster turnaround times as effective strategies to manage increased testing volumes.

Conclusion

Managing increased testing volumes is a critical challenge for diagnostic laboratories. By implementing effective strategies such as automation, process optimization, and personnel training, laboratories can enhance their capacity, efficiency, and overall performance. Proactive planning, space optimization, maintaining test quality, and addressing slow turnaround times are key considerations in managing the surge in testing volumes. By adopting these strategies, laboratories can navigate the evolving healthcare landscape successfully.