AI and automation provide relief for overburdened lab workers
A recent survey found that 39% of more than 400 laboratory professionals surveyed said staff shortages are a major barrier to maintaining high quality care.
The research, conducted by Siemens Healthineers and The Harris Poll, provides a comprehensive look at the operational challenges faced by clinical laboratory staff, revealing that these professionals are experiencing severe burnout. Additionally, the majority of laboratory professionals (83%) said they expect the demand for laboratory services to continue to grow.
While more than half (52%) said they were concerned that automation could cost them their jobs, and 27% feared losing their jobs because of the new technology, the vast majority (95%) said they believe automation will improve patient care.
Laboratory workers indicated they would use the time saved by automation for training (46%), quality control (42%), and managing test samples (39%).
Nearly nine in ten (89%) respondents said their lab needs automation to meet demand, while 91 percent of lab workers surveyed said they agree that AI tools can help with patient care challenges.
Laboratory workers reported knowing that burnout can lead to errors ranging from low-risk errors in administration, documentation, or repetitive testing to more serious situations involving exposure to biological hazards or incorrect test results.
Fourteen percent of respondents admitted to making a high-risk error, and 22% admitted to making a low-risk error.
Nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents said they have seen high-risk mistakes from others, and 25% have seen low-risk mistakes. Another 29% have not made mistakes but are concerned about them due to overwork.
Michele Zwickl, senior vice president of commercial laboratory solutions for Siemens Healthineers North America, said she was surprised by the percentage of laboratory professionals who believe automation is the solution.
“With laboratory job openings increasing and not enough laboratory professionals to fill the position, nearly all laboratory professionals agree that automation is a necessary solution to address their most pressing challenges,” she said.
She added that using automation to ease the burden of repetitive tasks is essential not only to maintain the quality of testing and allow lab workers to focus on critical work, but also to ensure the safety and well-being of both patients and staff.
The survey data shows that integrated AI tools or technology is the fastest growing area that labs expect in the coming year (41%). A smaller share of respondents think the same for digital pathology/AI-driven diagnostics (34%).
“We find it very important that we are in a sector that is highly regulated and where safety comes first. The goal is to protect patients and ensure patient safety. That requires us to look at the application possibilities of AI from more perspectives,” Zwickl said.
She explained that each lab is structured differently, but that in general, support at all levels is needed to successfully integrate this technology.
“From the technicians and laboratory management to the hospital executives or the purchasers who make financial decisions, there needs to be alignment on all fronts,” she said.
Zwickl says the data makes it clear that automation and AI can help alleviate some of the most pressing challenges facing clinical laboratories today.
“Together, stakeholders can integrate this technology to make laboratories more efficient and ultimately improve patient care,” she said.
Nathan Eddy is a healthcare and technology freelancer based in Berlin.
Send an email to the writer: nathaneddy@gmail.com
Twitter: @dropdeaded209
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