The lab of the future...is here

Work in the clinical laboratory has been transformed in recent years through advances in digital pathology, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and digital information flow. The profound changes brought about by these technologies are only the beginning—and for the hospital laboratory, the future is now.

Expert analysis of pathology slides is a critical step in many diagnoses, often acting as a significant bottleneck in the process. In the standard pathology workflow, the same slide may need to be read and reviewed by multiple pathologists across different institutions, leading to delayed diagnosis since slides are physically shipped to the different reviewers/pathologists. The process can often be labor intensive as the entire tissue sample on the slide must be examined one field at a time, and multiple slides may need to be compared.

Whole-slide imaging (WSI) is the digitization of an entire slide to create a high-resolution image file and offers the opportunity to help solve each of these problems and more. Converted to an electronic file, the same image can be accessed by different experts instantly, facilitating quicker collaboration and second opinions. As a benefit of digitization, the entire sample can be seen at once, and multiple slides can be compared side by side on the screen.

Digitized images also provide the platform for use of image analysis tools—from software for measurement and annotation to advanced AI algorithms that can identify and classify tumors for review by a human pathologist. Recent advances in digital cytogenetics and chromosome analysis are also poised to improve the accuracy and repeatability of analysis.

Digital pathology platforms in the hospital lab are likely to ease the pathologist workload, reducing routine analysis tasks while accelerating and improving diagnostic accuracy. This technology can also promote remote pathology diagnosis, easing the staffing crunch many labs have experienced in recent years and providing easier access to subspecialty expertise. CLIA regulations must be adhered to when setting up remote pathology.

The ability of AI-based systems to analyze results reliably and reproducibly when partnered with trained personnel can increase the productivity and quality of lab work in the clinical pathology laboratory. Allowing for automated validation of results based on algorithms has been a key cornerstone for modern laboratories, and leveraging AI to enable healthcare providers to avoid unnecessary tests is propelling the laboratory into the forefront of modern medicine.

With the recent acquisition of PathAI by Quest Diagnostics, our digital pathology offerings are poised for further advancement. PathAI’s advanced AI technology will integrate seamlessly with our existing digital pathology platforms, enabling more accurate and efficient diagnostic processes. Expanding these capabilities in remote pathology will further alleviate staffing challenges and improve patient care through faster, more precise diagnoses.

Digital pathology is just one component of the lab of the future. Many lab operations can now be aided, driven, or entirely performed by robotics and other forms of automation. From barcoding and robotic sample pipetting to automated delivery, advances in automation have helped labs become more efficient and provide better results. As clinical labs have confronted the national staffing crisis, automation has helped take up the slack. Automation of routine tasks can allow highly skilled, licensed staff to focus on higher-level procedures. Automated blood analysis systems can also cut down on the volume of sample required for young and elderly patients who may be limited in the volume of blood they can give. This can be an especially welcome change.

Not every clinical lab will find the cost savings they seek in increased automation. It’s important to perform an in-depth analysis of current and future needs and opportunities before committing to any automated system. Economies of scale are a consideration, and smaller facilities may instead find it economical to turn to an outside provider instead of investing in a major upgrade to an automated system.

Investments in technology can offer major rewards for the right institution but cannot replace investing in personnel. As the clinical lab becomes a more complex, efficient, and high-throughput system, top-quality staff becomes even more essential to reap the benefits of technology investments. The best-run labs may have the most advanced technology throughout their operations, but they only achieve their potential by having top-quality staff in all the key positions. Investments in staff and technology cannot be an either/or proposition—you need both to have a great lab.

The laboratory of the future will require technology resources that are complex and require up-front and ongoing investments. Partnering with a reference lab may be the most cost-effective way to achieve the benefits of new technologies, resulting in better patient care and cost efficiencies.