Diagnostic laboratories are increasingly challenged to improve diagnostic accuracy, expand test items to meet provider needs and decrease turnaround times. Along with these challenges, reimbursement continues to be lowered by payee providers. This puts tremendous pressure on laboratory management to improve productivity.
Healthcare leadership recognizes that the majority of clinical decisions are based on diagnostic laboratory results. Thus, the medical laboratory remains an important contributor to any healthcare organization.
Current trends affecting diagnostic laboratories are increased test volume, shortage of qualified staff, and decreasing reimbursements. Clinical testing is an interaction of people and technology that requires well-qualified workers to perform complex tasks in a fast-moving high-stress setting. Consequently, this scenario suggests more effort is needed to measure and improve productivity in the diagnostic laboratory.
