Transform Patient Care and Boost Morale with Lab Automation Solutions

In a bustling lab, time counts, and every test result could be the key to a patient’s treatment plan. Now, add to that the challenge of a limited workforce. According to recent data from a survey conducted by Siemens Healthineers, 39 percent of labs are grappling with staffing shortages, and an alarming 28 percent of lab professionals aged 50 and older are planning to retire in the next 3–5 years, and 9 percent of laboratory professionals are considering leaving their workplace or industry altogether.¹ This shortage isn’t just a statistic—it’s a daily struggle that affects every aspect of lab operations.

The pandemic only magnified these issues. Patients, now more informed and demanding, expect quicker and more precise results. This has placed an additional burden on already overstretched lab staff, creating a perfect storm of high expectations and insufficient resources.

In such a tough environment, simply asking medical laboratory scientists about their challenges can open the door for successful lab automation projects. One clinical laboratory was recently able to use automation to improve patient care by getting advice from bench techs about workflow improvements. Read more about that lab a little later.

The real cost of staffing shortages

For many labs, the staffing crisis has many real-world consequences. Imagine having to close an entire shift due to a lack of staff, as 5 percent of labs have experienced. Such closures reduce revenue, affecting a lab’s bottom line.

The stress of such shortages often leads to burnout, resulting in critical errors. Recent findings from the Siemens Healthineers survey revealed that 14 percent of lab professionals have made high-risk errors due to burnout, while 22 percent have made low-risk errors. These numbers represent potential risks to patient safety and the reputation of the lab.

Despite these challenges, there’s a silver lining. Many lab professionals feel a deep sense of purpose in their work. A staggering 95 percent feel they are a critical part of the healthcare system, 94 percent believe they can make a positive impact on patient outcomes, and 97 percent are satisfied with their peers. However, satisfaction varies across sectors. Those in academia and research report the highest levels of job satisfaction, while professionals in private labs often feel burned out, largely due to manual tasks and a lack of control, according to industry polls.

The promise of automation

So, where does automation fit into the picture? Automation is like a highly skilled assistant, tirelessly working behind the scenes to handle repetitive tasks. By taking over manual and routine functions, automation frees up lab professionals to focus on more complex and impactful “human” work. Here’s how automation is transforming labs of all sizes:

• Human-centered engineering: Automation is designed to fit seamlessly into a lab’s daily routine. Sample handlers that manage quality control, archives, and early processing tasks can substantially reduce manual workload, allowing your team to concentrate on patient care.
• Automated calibration and quality control: With automated processes, maintaining accuracy becomes easier. No more manual checks—automation ensures consistency and precision.
• Remote management systems: Automation allows labs to manage operations from anywhere, at any time. Remote management systems enable supervisors to oversee supplies, generate real-time reports, and monitor operations without being physically present. This flexibility allows more time for patient-focused activities.
• Enhanced cybersecurity: In an age of digital transformation, protecting lab data is paramount. Automation solutions come with robust cybersecurity measures to protect data integrity and uninterrupted workflows.

Real-world success story

Consider the case of Singing River, a lab in Mississippi facing mounting challenges like burnout, retiring seasoned techs, and declining morale. With automation, Singing River managed to improve stability and loyalty among staff by reducing manual workloads and emphasizing patient care and quality. Supervisors could now review data daily instead of monthly, enabling timely interventions and improvements.

One key to the success was the involvement of bench technicians.

“Engaging the workforce in the change helps with morale because the workforce can help with layouts, workflows, and identifying challenges they face,” said Sharon Bracken, head of diagnostics at Siemens Healthineers, in an interview with Today’s Clinical Lab. 

“When staff are involved in the solution, they play a role in shaping the future of the lab,” Bracken said. “This enables them to achieve the goal, which is to do less administrative work and focus more on the data and the patients.” Such transformations align with broader goals of population health and patient education, ensuring labs can contribute more effectively to overall healthcare outcomes.

Expanding horizons with laboratory automation

Automation isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about innovation. Consider the following areas within a clinical lab’s influence:

Specialized testing

New automated tests cover a wide range of medical needs, from fertility testing and the ELF test for liver health to screenings for lower GI tract conditions. Automation also enables high-sensitivity troponin assays for heart health. These advancements address unmet medical needs, improving patient outcomes and broadening the scope of lab services.

Sustainability and efficiency

Sustainability is more than a buzzword—it’s a critical component of modern lab operations. Automation can help labs reduce energy use and waste by minimizing redundancy and errors, and by streamlining data management and workflows, which contributes to a greener environment. The mantra of "doing less to do more" means that lab staff can focus on tasks that truly affect health care, leading to higher job satisfaction and better patient care.

As Bracken explains, “speaking with our customers, they have changed the description of jobs when automation was implemented. Automation enables them to provide career opportunities for their staff. It’s a positive way to manage having people with different qualifications and better promotional opportunities because they can run automated workflows.” 

Industry collaboration and innovation

The future of clinical labs is bright, with automation paving the way for timely results and minimal errors. Industry collaboration is key to replicating best practices and customizing technology to boost morale and efficiency. In North America, the trend toward more outpatient work underscores the need for robust automation solutions that can handle diverse and increasing demands.

Siemens Healthineers: Leading the lab automation charge

At the forefront of this shift is Siemens Healthineers, with its innovative automation solutions transforming clinical labs. Siemens Healthineers has made automation and AI more accessible, designing technology that supports lab staff in their daily routines. Its remote management systems and advanced cybersecurity measures have considerably improved lab operations.

At the ADLM 2024 conference, Siemens Healthineers unveiled next-generation lab automation solution, FlexLab X by Inpeco. This innovative system enhances the speed and accuracy of treatment decisions and exemplifies a dedication to expanding test ranges, catering to broader demographics and varied medical needs. Committed to sustainability, Siemens Healthineers works with labs to operate efficiently while minimizing environmental impact. By automating routine tasks and embracing human-centered engineering, Siemens Healthineers empowers healthcare professionals to focus on their core mission: delivering exceptional patient care.

“It takes a village to run a clinical lab,” Bracken says. “Using human-centered engineering to keep engineers building lab equipment near the scientists implementing and using the system brings the two halves together seamlessly. 

“It’s like if you’re a contractor doing work on a home while a plumber works elsewhere. If they’re not talking to each other, the output could suffer. But if you have everybody working together under a great general contractor, things become more efficient, and needs are better addressed.” 

“Using a cross-discipline approach enables a learning mindset and strong leadership,” she adds. “By remaining focused on continual improvement, one small step at a time, and celebrating along the way, the path to automation can be smoother.” 

The clinical lab sector faces a variety of challenges, but with innovative automation solutions, there is hope for a more efficient and satisfying work environment. Embracing automation means transforming the lab into a hub of innovation and excellence, ultimately leading to better healthcare outcomes for all.

References:

1. The research was conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Siemens among 408 US adults, 18+ who work full time or part time as laboratory professionals in the healthcare industry. Respondents also work in a lab that does not solely focus on genetic and/or molecular testing. Phlebotomists do not qualify. The survey was conducted June 17–28, 2024. For more details, please see the survey report.