Labs are Machines

It's here! Total Laboratory Automation is here. The fields of engineering, robotics and informatics have removed humans and replaced all disciplines of Lab Medicine with machines. It's important for every laboratory technologist to understand the fundamental principles of optics and how the machines use light to perform tasks. The areas of physics such as mechanics, acoustics, electronics, optics, prompt engineering, as well as artificial intelligence have become more relevant in medical laboratories. Every discipline has automated systems which require training, troubleshooting and quality management to ensure that results are accurate and precise. This gives faster turn-around time and allows for better standardization of the testing procedures. There is the elimination of inaccuracies in manual timing of reactions and the visual subjectivity of results which are based on the interpretation of technologists. The five step process for making labs into machines include: 

1. Question every requirement

2. Delete any part or process you can

3. Simplify and optimize

4. Accelerate cycle time

4. Automate

Medical Laboratories are simply machines. The role of the medical technologist now is data analysis and knowing how to troubleshoot these machines. This is the new era of Lab Medicine where technology and automation is at the forefront of every result reported.