Selecting automation for the clinical chemistry laboratory

Area of Science:

• Clinical Laboratory Science
• Medical Technology
• Healthcare Operations

Background:

• Laboratory automation offers solutions to quality demands and staff shortages in clinical labs.
• Evaluating and selecting automation systems presents significant challenges.
• Existing literature provides limited guidance on the selection process for automation systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive process for evaluating and selecting laboratory automation systems.
• To serve as a reference for laboratories considering automation implementation.
• To address the gap in literature regarding automation system selection.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of major United States laboratory automation systems and analyzers.
• Description of the selection process, key considerations, and implementation decisions.
• Organization of experience based on a structured evaluation framework.

Main Results:

• The selection process, including committee formation and site visits, took approximately 14 months.
• Key considerations include automation design, preanalytical and postanalytical processes, analyzer choice, and data management.
• A detailed workflow analysis and request for proposal were integral to the process.

Conclusions:

• Selecting clinical laboratory automation is a complex and lengthy undertaking.
• Laboratories can benefit from a structured approach to system evaluation.
• The provided overview and suggestions aim to simplify the decision-making process.