Pivoting Toward Operational Efficiency

New technology and increased pressure from healthcare providers mean that labs must pivot and become more efficient. Operational efficiency is a must: automated processes, streamlined workflow, and updated tech all improve accuracy and speed. These strategies allow labs to reduce costs, improve customer service, and better serve the healthcare needs of patients.

What Is Operational Efficiency?

Simply put, operational efficiency is the ability to effectively manage resources, such as time and money, to maximize output. In labs, outputs include test results and patient information. When labs operate efficiently, they can complete more tests in less time with fewer resources – bringing cost savings, less stress, and higher customer satisfaction.

What Actions Should You Take?

• Automate. By automating low-value tasks, a lab can free up technicians’ hands to do more high-value tasks.
• Streamline. By analyzing where bottlenecks occur in a lab, you can then solve for the bottleneck and ensure that the workflow goes smoothly.
• Upgrade. Upgrading your lab technology can improve accuracy. Software can schedule samples, track sample status, and manage inventory—not to mention reading images and providing more uniform results.
• Leverage. Data analytics can provide valuable insights into a lab’s operations. Data will ultimately help you automate, streamline, and upgrade your process to achieve operational efficiency.

Meeting Challenges with Efficiency

Labs today are working harder than ever while dealing with greater challenges and constraints. Automating low-value tasks, streamlining bottlenecks, upgrading lab tech, and leveraging data analytics allow labs to take steps toward operational efficiency. Consider if a pivot is right for you.