By Pete Mercer
March 2024 – The Journal of Healthcare Contracting
Laboratories need to seek opportunities for stability and improvement across the continuum of care. While staffing levels have decreased, projections show that the demand for lab services and testing will increase by 13% between 2016 and 2026.
Labor continues to be one of the highest expenses in healthcare. Short-term costs have risen 37% between 2019 and 2022. There is currently not enough staff to cover throughput, which paints a grim picture for patient care since 70% of medical decisions depend on laboratory results.
Automation is an incredible resource that labs can utilize to increase productivity and the agility of any tests that need to be run. With automation, providers can reduce human error by simplifying and streamlining the workflow of the lab by using specimen tracking software, which will improve patient care. Implementing automation within your lab could allow your organization to move full-time technicians to higher value areas.
For the clinical side, Fisher Healthcare has several solutions that can improve laboratory processes. Products like barcoded Thermo Scientific Matrix screw top tubes can easily track specimens, while other solutions can load several protocols at the same time to improve efficiency.
From a non-clinical standpoint, eCommerce platforms can help with tracking orders, as well as viewing complementary and alternative products. Automated reports for backorders, shipping notifications, savings opportunities, and standardization recommendations for improved operations save administrative time.
COFI Model Approach
Fisher Healthcare provides a consultative, COFI model approach that ensures a comprehensive view of the laboratory business from multiple perspectives:
- Clinical: Improving turnaround time, quality and reliability of results are at the forefront for many laboratories. These metrics directly contribute to patient outcomes. Fisher Healthcare carries in-house expertise to review all areas of the lab; tapping into an extensive network of industry knowledge to provide critical insight on workflow optimization or innovative technologies.
- Operational: Fisher Healthcare has one of the most comprehensive portfolios in the marketplace. That enables laboratories to gain access to new products and complementary products when supply challenges occur. Identifying ordering efficiencies is also a way that laboratories can gain operational efficiencies.
- Financial: Laboratories are looking for opportunities for both cost containment and revenue generation. Workflow improvements, standardization options, and contract maximization are ways laboratories can save money.
- Innovation: Laboratories need automation solutions to keep pace with demands and better satisfaction and outcomes for patients. As the market leader, Fisher Healthcare has strong relationships with its supplier partners which enables conversations to take place to influence the development and manufacture of products laboratories need to combat challenges in today’s ever-changing healthcare marketplace.
For more information on Fisher Healthcare’s portfolio of lab products and services, visit fishersci.com.