2023 Automation & Informatics Digital Forum

No More Faxing: Embracing Innovation and Automation to Improve Lab Efficiency 

Available on demand

This talk will explore the transformative impact of automating manual tasks in laboratory operations, specifically data entry, test ordering, and insurance claim submission. By implementing workflow automation technology, clinical labs can simplify these processes, enhancing accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency. Automation eliminates errors inherent in manual data entry, ensuring precision and compliance with clinical standards. Physician orders are streamlined, reducing turnaround time, expediting communication, and minimizing manual effort. Insurance claim submission is optimized, improving reimbursement rates and reducing denied claim appeals. 

This presentation will highlight how automating manual tasks reshapes laboratory efficiency, generating higher profit margins, improving competitive position, and most importantly—providing accurate clinical data for optimized patient care.

Using a Cloud-based Platform to Speed Up and Streamline Integration Testing

Available on demand

Under extremely tight timelines, TriCore converted enterprise-wide immunochemistry systems and added a new lab location to its network. Learn from medical director Veronica Luzzi how these timeline pressures led to an innovative software testing plan to ensure patient results are delivered with the highest level of confidence. 

In this session, Dr. Luzzi will detail how TriCore shifted its approach to integration test validation by using a modern testing technology platform, Cymetryc, that not only saved the project timelines but also helped TriCore easily identify errors. Joining Dr. Luzzi during this presentation, Jennifer Lyle will demonstrate how TriCore used cloud-based Cymetryc to accelerate its software validation testing by streamlining the process and eliminating numerous manual steps including generating the final accreditation required documentation.

After attending this webinar, you will be able to 

• Understand the goals and objectives of TriCore’s integration testing plan as a component of their quality assurance program
• Learn how TriCore was able to speed up their validation testing timeline while also more easily identifying errors prior to going live
• Learn how cloud-based Cymetryc enabled TriCore to optimize its software validation testing and documentation processes to achieve its timeline goals

Rightsizing System Instrumentation

Available on demand

Consolidation of laboratory testing has become commonplace in the healthcare industry. Administrators have come to view decentralized labs as cost centers, an easy target to expel duplication and waste without sacrificing patient care. However, the complete closure of moderately complex labs in the ambulatory setting is short-sighted and can also be wasteful if not done tactfully.

The centralization of laboratory testing services can serve many benefits to the healthcare system as it seeks to create efficiencies and savings. Similarly, retaining some decentralized testing in the ambulatory setting can serve a valuable purpose as well, though typically at a higher cost. It is therefore incumbent upon laboratory leaders to appropriately assess their current laboratory landscape and align it with system-level goals. Labs can then work to “rightsize” their system level instrumentation.

Rightsizing is having the right equipment in the right place at the right time operated by the right personnel with the right test menu. Rightsizing can effectively reduce unnecessary waste and duplication while simultaneously delivering value to patients, providers, and the central laboratory.

After attending this webinar, you will be able to

1. Understand current trends in the diagnostic laboratory industry
2. Define “rightsizing” for laboratory operations
3. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of lab consolidation
4. Understand how to effectively "rightsize" system instrumentation

The Future of Laboratory Automation and Artificial Intelligence

Available on demand

As lab automation advances, so must its supporting technology. Innovations in computer vision, deep learning, and operational applications of artificial intelligence (AI) create new opportunities to expand AI-based lab automation beyond current operational and clinical capacities. To adopt large scale initiatives across automation platforms, clinical laboratories can glean insights from other industries. In the future, combining AI and lab automation could not only optimize equipment monitoring and waste management but assist with decision-making by integrating data variables such as specimen integrity, quality control, and reference ranges.

After this webinar, you will be able to 

1. Describe different types of artificial intelligence and how they relate to laboratory automation

2. List the operational, internal, and external benefits of applying AI to laboratory automation

Melody Boudreaux Nelson, DCLS, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a principal clinical laboratory scientist at The University of Kansas Health System with leadership experience in operations and informatics. She is a graduate of RUSH University’s Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Management program and completed her DCLS residency at the University of Kansas Health System. Dr. Nelson is an advocate for the clinical laboratory’s role in ethical implementation of artificial intelligence within health care and laboratory expertise accessibility for multidisciplinary teams.

Tyler Radke, MLS(ASCP)^CM, is from Green Bay, WI, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2012 with a bachelor’s in medical technology. He is an ASCP-certified medical laboratory scientist and worked at Froedtert St. Joseph’s Hospital in West Bend before relocating back to Green Bay as the technical lead of microbiology at Bellin Health. In 2017, he became the laboratory manager at Bellin Memorial Hospital and Bellin Health Oconto Hospital in Wisconsin. He is also a member of the laboratory technical advisory group (LabTAG) for the Wisconsin Clinical Laboratories Network (WCLN), serving as the representative for Region 7.

Gregory is a serial entrepreneur and healthcare regulation expert, with more than 30 years’ experience in corporate, non-profit, and local, state, and federal governments. He brings diverse experience and a vast network of industry expertise to his role at Shadowbox.