Challenging the future. Clinical laboratory automation: a paradigm shift.
Compared to other industries, implementation of automation in the health-care arena has been delayed. Changes in reimbursement methods are forcing hospitals and other health-care providers to provide more cost-effective services. Clinical laboratory services are essential to the support of newer medical technologies and therapies such as organ transplantation and chemotherapy. The current paradigm for clinical laboratory operations is based on a mix of batch and random access testing and is dependent on personnel. In this article, a new paradigm based on a factory automation model is described. Mechanisms to support the paradigm shift--including a proposal for the creation of a consortium to jointly fund a development operation--are also explored. A clinical laboratory platform prototype currently under development at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is also described.
College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center.
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Markin
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D001322:Autoanalysis / Q000592:standards; D002984:Clinical Laboratory Information Systems / Q000592:standards*; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009329:Nebraska; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*