What are the Benefits of Laboratory Automation

Laboratory automation has progressed from batch organization of a cluster of tests to the ability to perform a large menu of tests on a limited number of platforms.

Fremont, CA: Over the last 40 years, laboratory automation has transformed laboratories. Since its humble beginnings in the 1980s, the technology has spread to clinical laboratories all over the world. It has enabled laboratories to perform more tests, a wider range of tests, with fewer personnel and at a lower cost per test. It has also altered the way laboratories operate, particularly in the clinical setting. This has created a schism in how laboratories view themselves, what tests are available, and how the staff is deployed, posing challenges even as laboratories have saved money and improved service with this technology. In this article, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of laboratory automation and how it can influence how laboratories operate.

Key benefits of laboratory automation: 

Reduced Test Expenses

Laboratory automation has progressed from batch organization of a cluster of tests to the ability to perform a large menu of tests on a limited number of platforms. A large menu of tests can be performed by a limited number of personnel when integrated with sorting and aliquotting systems, eliminating large amounts of manual labor.