The continuous evolution in Laboratory Medicine and Digitization

Asian Hospital and Healthcare Management: Laboratory medicine is continuously evolving to provide much-needed support for disease monitoring, treatment decisions, and patient safety. With a rise in the adoption of machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve turnover and optimize efficiency, pathology laboratories are transforming into predictive rather than reactive environments.

Suresh Vazirani,

Founder Chairman,

Transasia-Erba Group of Companies

Diagnostics is the first step in the healthcare delivery chain, as 70% of the treatment decisions are based on lab results. The market for diagnostics devices is growing steadily to meet the increasing demand from hospitals and laboratories. The onus is thus on the manufacturer to provide a holistic solution that integrates automation with analytics, training, updates, and troubleshooting. Further, the use of QR codes and RFID chips enable automated tracking of samples and laboratory materials such as reagents, chemicals, and equipment.

The Role of AI and ML

Today, digitalization, automation, and laboratory information software (LIS) have found a place in clinical laboratories. However, many laboratory processes continue to be performed manually or partially digitized. Efforts are also being taken to improve the preanalytic, analytic, and post-analytic processes of the clinical laboratories with AI support.

The COVID-19 outbreak has been an accelerator in the adoption of digital technologies in laboratories. According to a recently published report, several examples of applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to COVID-19 are already reported such as AI-enabled outbreak tracking apps, chatbots for diagnostics, AI-powered analysis of scientific publications and triage using natural language processing for screening potential patients and prognosis prediction tools, using radiology CT scans to manage system capacities, among others.

Also available on record are multiple examples of the role played by AI in the management of non-communicable chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disorders. AI tools aid in augmenting the accuracy of clinical decisions and improving patient care.

Further, studies reveal an AI-supported system that predicts patient waiting time in the phlebotomy unit and organizes the entire blood collection process or the auto-verification of test results using a Machine Learning (ML) approach. ML approach can also be used to predict out-of-control events in internal quality control studies, detect instrument failures before even they occur, or determine compatibility between analyzers in central laboratories where several instruments running the same parameters are tested.

Automation of analyzers

It is very interesting that the basic manual laboratory techniques and procedures have generally been adopted in principle to automated, or mechanized, fashion in automated analyzers, while a wide variety of configurations can be observed in modern instrumentation in clinical laboratories. Step-by-step innovations created these ultimate configurations.

There are several approaches to automated instrumentation historically. For instance, multiple samples are tested in a series in batch analyzers. In contrast, in sequential analyzers, the samples are tested sequentially, and the results are reported in that order. Continuous-flow analysis means a form of sequential analysis with a continuous stream. In a random-access discrete analyzer, the most common configuration, analyses are performed sequentially on a set of specimens, and each sample can be analyzed for a different test selection. In this type of analysis, an interruption can occur in routine working for spanning a stat sample in-between, permitting measurement of a number of and a variety of analytes in each specimen. Discrete term in this type of analyzer means that each test of a patient (or a sample) is analyzed in a distinct chamber (in a well, cuvette, or reaction vessel)

The use of automated analyzers has many advantages including reduction of workload, less time consumption per sample analysis, more number of tests done in less time, use of minute amount of sample, decreased chances of human errors, and high accuracy and reproducibility.

Further, Total Laboratory Automation (TLA) systems use conveyor belts to connect pre-analytical specimen processing and other functions directly to an analyzer. Such systems also include functions such as post-analytical­ storage or sorting of specimens or aliquots to be transported to low-volume testing areas—or to be sent to reference laboratories.

At Transasia-Erba Group, we are looking forward to launching exciting new products by 2023. Our R&D labs in France, UK, USA, Austria, and India will launch over 10 state-of-the-art analyzers in CLIA, molecular, high-end hematology, AI, and LIS. Also in the offing is a ‘Total Lab Automation’ solution aimed at mid- and large-size laboratories. All these will make Transasia-Erba among the top-five companies globally to have ‘Total solutions in Laboratory Diagnostics.

Digital data management

Modern-day cutting-edge smart technologies are giving a much-needed renovation to laboratories and making them ‘smart’ labs. A smart laboratory is nothing but an amalgam of different hardware tools and software that helps in data management in laboratories. One of the integral parts of smart laboratories is data management. And when it comes to data management, one cannot ignore the concept of Digital Data Management.

The concept of digital data management generally revolves around utilizing tools to store, document, share, analyze, and manage experimental data. Among all the other software available, LIMS or Laboratory Information Management System is extremely helpful. LIMS is a software solution that helps in addressing data management, regulatory challenges, and automation. This software is extremely useful in handling laboratory samples and data. As a result, it helps maintain tests, workflows, and reporting techniques that assist in standardizing operations.

The most significant part of the LIMS is to enhance the operational efficiency of a lab by streamlining and automating workflows. Also, it eliminates the purpose of manually maintaining information and living up to the regulatory rules. An efficient LIMS will easily be able to keep records and report them. As a result, it eliminates the possibility of human errors.

Benefits of using LIMS

The key advantage of using LIMS is that it provides Sample management. It means that with the help of LIMS, it is possible to manage accurate and detailed records of every sample and securely store them. As a result, the data is not lost while it moves from one laboratory to another.

Secondly, the Inventory Management functionality of LIMS makes it a great option. Through this system, it is possible to manage reagents and stock supplies. In addition, it also helps in generating automatic recorder alerts in times of depletion of the stock.

Test Management and Reporting are the other two benefits of using the Laboratory Information Management System. It is possible to achieve standardized testing structures with the help of LIMS that too with the bonus of providing accurate and complete testing process control.

Internet of Things

With an increasing focus on offering value-added services, manufacturers are adopting rapidly evolving technologies such as IoT or the Internet of Things, to meet the huge demand for fully automated products and services.

IoT applications are being used across all verticals of business and healthcare is no exception. In fact, IoT has brought a lot of ‘convenience’ to the healthcare ecosystem. Medical device providers across the world have brought IoT to their rescue. While it offers a host of solutions, it is left to the companies to leverage the potential of IoT to the fullest.

Predictive maintenance

For laboratories, one of the biggest concerns is downtime. Planning for upgrading via cloud-based lab management systems and sophisticated software is a good way to future-proof products and reduce the cost of maintaining the instrument. The days of preventive maintenance are long forgotten, now is the time for predictive maintenance. Devices with IoT capability can sense when components are exhibiting faults or when they near their expected end of life and communicate this back to technical support and initiate actions to resolve them – from ordering replacement parts to requesting a completely new device.

Inventory management

Remote monitoring is also used to evaluate the usage and consumption of reagents for each test and their expiry to allow efficient management of lab inventory and utilization. Further, by analyzing actual usage data, a company can provide better customer service by pre-scheduling the delivery of consumables. This is particularly relevant for a diagnostic laboratory that is faced with the major challenge of optimizing the capacities of capital equipment.

24x7 remote access

While nothing can replace personalized customer service, IoT is playing the role of an adjunct to ‘smarter’ personalized customer service. In the traditional approach, a device manufacturer provides an after-sales service to solve a problem with the instrument in case of a breakdown. This could result in repeated visits by the sales team to first diagnose the problem and then fix it. However, with IoT, the service team can receive real-time reports. Technicians can thus remotely access the instrument and get information on the performance and repair history and other details that can help them save time. This will further help the organization improve its TAT and customer satisfaction. 

Optimizing patient outcomes

Manufacturers can utilize IoT data for compliance monitoring to evaluate the performance of an instrument and optimize test results in real time, with QC rules and calibration trends. This can be integral to making the device more useful to the end-user.

Transasia gives its customers the convenience of connected devices

Transasia’s cloud-based system, Transconnect has helped equip labs with cutting-edge technology to improve patient treatment outcomes and enable better analytic insights. Its sophisticated software provides the team with real-time updates, prompting timely intervention to avoid a breakdown. In addition, a round the clock application support guarantees a seamless lab workflow.  IoT sensors integrated into the instruments provides extensive information on the consumption of reagents and thus enhance the efficiency of the lab.

Cloud computing used in laboratory

Cloud Computing is the method of using remote servers and networks that are hosted on the internet for saving, managing, and processing the enormous data of the company or a firm. For a large number of laboratories, the data collected from various sources like experiments, research, and development activities are much more valuable. In order to keep them safe and secure, it is mandatory to keep them in enormous and massive storage, and that’s where cloud computing comes into the picture.

Data and files collected is a genuine record that has been performed or experimented with. It is an asset to the company or a laboratory. Thus, it is necessary to safeguard and store in a safer place.

Moreover, cloud computing helps a lab prevent the loss of files and vital data.

Benefits of cloud computing

Increase revenue and profits: Laboratories and healthcare management companies can make use of the robust metrics, MIS dashboards, with fingerprints metrics to have an eye on the recent trends and projections to maximize profits and revenues.

Increase brand reputation: Extensive usage of cloud computing can help a laboratory or a healthcare company to give a delightful patient experience. Moreover, cloud computing provides accuracy in reports and diagnoses, which satisfies the patients and ultimately makes them happy.

Productivity: With the use of cloud computing, laboratories, and healthcare companies can increase workflow and work productivity, respectively. They can maximize productivity by leveraging EM flow as well as automation across several departments of the laboratories. Cloud computing is the one-size solution that fits all companies that boosts productivity and streamlines business workflow.

Streamline operations: With the help of cloud computing, labs can streamline business operations.

Moreover, they can centralize data, strategize the company data, and safeguard the same adequately.

The road ahead