The global clinical laboratory market is expected to grow 74% to $404 billion between 2019 and 2027, according to new report From Transparency Market Research. Growth in infectious disease testing accounted for the largest percentage increase.
North America continues to dominate the global market – a trend that is expected to continue, driven by the detection of different types of cancer and an aging population.
Hospitals and health systems that don’t consider their clinical lab profit centers risk missing out on significant revenue, increased productivity from community physician loyalty, and improved utilization of hospital lab staff and equipment.
An integrated laboratory platform that easily connects hospitals or health systems with participating providers can be at the center of a connected diagnostic journey.
Technology disconnects fracture care process
A few decades ago, hospitals often performed clinical laboratory work for physicians in the community. But over time, the pattern has slowly changed, driven by the rise of national testing labs.
During the same period, hospitals, physician offices, ambulatory surgery centers, and other local providers adopted electronic records and practice management systems, many of which had no “dialogue” between them. This disconnect creates a huge barrier as patients move from one care setting to another, from a doctor’s office to an outpatient lab, and from the lab to getting test results.
It also creates barriers between hospitals and community providers. Fax machines, which required manual workflows to handle, continued to be the primary means of communication between providers, and lab orders had to be keyed into the lab management system and the results sent to the ordering physician—usually via return fax.
To maximize productivity, hospitals must connect with community providers to transmit electronic orders and results back and forth, but connecting to individual practices is costly, cumbersome, and not a priority for hospital and health system IT departments. What is needed is a laboratory management platform with a single integration that allows the necessary electronic communication workflows between patients, providers, and testing sites.
Depressed demand for testing services
The importance of laboratory testing in modern healthcare cannot be overestimated. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that, 70% of medical decisions Depends on laboratory test results.
That’s why hospitals have in-house laboratories to get instant results on medical emergencies at all hours of the day and night. But 24/7/365 access comes with significant costs for personnel and underutilized equipment.
Hospital profit margins, which were already in single digits before the pandemic, slipped into negative territory during the last Omicron surge. January, the Average Operating Margin -3.3%— Even with federal CARES funding aimed at mitigating the negative effects of the global pandemic. Increased costs for personnel and supplies, temporary suspension of non-urgent tests and procedures, and fewer hospitalized patients were blamed for the decline.
There is also pent-up demand for medical appointments, including clinical laboratory tests.A recent national survey showed that nearly one-third of adults Those 50 and older are delaying or canceling medical appointments for pandemic-related reasons. Three-quarters delayed primary care visits and 72% delayed tests and procedures. Even more troubling, 22% had yet to reschedule a visit and 26% had yet to reschedule a test or procedure.
Hospitals and health systems can partner with local physicians to facilitate testing, smooth the patient journey, improve satisfaction with the care experience, and help hospitals make money.
The ideal patient testing journey
A robust laboratory testing platform enables the clinical testing process while easily connecting patients with providers and facilities.
Imagine a scenario where a doctor orders a test and requires a patient to scan a QR code with a smartphone or enter patient information, provide contact information, and sign the necessary consent forms using a provided tablet. After completing the process, the patient receives a link to follow the lab process and receive the results (if authorized by the doctor). The process is similar to using a food delivery app, where users can track whether a meal has left the restaurant and where the driver is relative to the destination.
If authorized, the patient is notified that the results are ready and can view the results. In the case of sensitive, potentially life-changing tests, doctors can choose to review them before releasing the results or contacting the patient.
The benefits to patients are obvious — seeing the test process without having to contact a doctor — but physician practice can also see increased productivity. Office staff interact with a simple portal to track all patient tests, download results to practice management systems and more. Staff saves time because patients can self-register for testing, eliminating the need to fill out and fax forms to the lab.
In addition to shifting testing volumes to their facilities, hospitals and health systems have reduced the manual data entry associated with traditional labs. Depending on the test, the insurance company may require specific documents that must accompany the test. Because the patient pre-authorizes, it is easy to obtain the necessary documents. IT involvement in the integration will be minimal.
Self-service becomes the norm
Technology is changing entire industries, and healthcare is no exception.Eighty-five percent of Americans own a smartphone, including 95 percent of people 49 and younger, according to the Pew Research Center. Consumers are accustomed to self-service options to buy items online, order takeout, and more.
Requiring consumers to fill out lab forms and receive results electronically is not only acceptable, but may be the method of choice for an increasing number of patients. Comprehensive laboratory testing platforms can benefit patients, providers, and hospitals.
Photo: Apple Design, Getty Images
