The COVID-19 pandemic has made lab management more challenging. Now, you have to grapple with the pressure of high volume testing and various financial constraints while sustaining your competitive edge as a lab service.
Thankfully, using lab analytics software can reduce the administrative burden, achieve higher operational efficiency, and improve patient outcomes. Read on to discover more specific benefits of using analytics software in your laboratory.
1. Automation of Process Improvement
Lab managers need to focus on improving the performance of lab processes constantly. This is vital for sustaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the lab.
Analytics software can automate process improvement by extracting, analyzing, and interpreting data in the LIS. You can use analytics software to answer questions such as:
- Are we meeting our deadlines and turnaround times?
- Are we providing accurate quality assurance?
- How do we meet staffing demands created by the pandemic?
- Which tests have been ordered wrongly?
Analytics can automate and speed up the process of improving daily lab management through detailed reports and dashboards.
2. Efficient Staffing Through Workload Prediction
Labs in the U.S. have to cope with a considerable workload. The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science states that labs carry out more than 4 billion tests annually.
The increased demand for coronavirus tests is also forcing labs to achieve more with fewer resources. Unfortunately, lab workers are getting stressed out and overworked.
Analytics can boost worker productivity by giving insight into staffing needs based on changing demands. That means you can track staffing needs by department, workstation, time of day, test, and other essential criteria.
The software will not only show where adjustments in staffing are necessary but also help to predict workload. It will relieve you of the hours spent forecasting workload.
3. Improvement of Test Utilization and Financial Performance
Sadly, lab reimbursements have been on the decline in the past few years. Fee-for-service has given way to value-based testing.
Consequently, hospitals and labs can’t increase revenues by ordering additional tests for inpatients. The focus has shifted to the quality and utilization of tests rather than volume.
Fortunately, analytics software can provide detailed reports on test utilization, highlighting any unnecessary tests. Eliminating unnecessary tests help to improve the use of staff time, reagents, and other essential supplies.
4. Improve Workflow and Operations
The dashboard of your lab analytics can reveal so many details about your lab’s work processes. Examples of data you can track with your analytics software for operational efficiency improvement include:
- Turnaround time:Fast-tracking of completion time and ability to find the tests that were delayed.
- Workload detail:Detailed description of workload sorted by priority, location, and type.
- Productivity analysis:Details on each lab technologist’s productivity.
5. Enhance Lab Quality and Efficiency
In addition to improving operation metrics, lab analytics can also enhance the quality of lab tests. While you may desire to use the data in your LIS to improve quality, the LIS seldom provides the type of reports required for that purpose.
You need an analytics app that can analyze text notes as well as structured data. Your software can monitor the whole lab testing cycle and locate variables to cause errors in the pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases of lab operations.
Get a Lab Analytics Software Solution That Will Transform Lab Operations
Contact Lifepoint Informatics today at 877.522.8378 for a free demo of our lab analytics solution and interface engine. You may also reach us through our contact page now to discuss your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Lab Analytics Software
1. What are the benefits of using lab analytics software?
Lab analytics software provides numerous benefits, including automating process improvement, efficient staffing through workload prediction, better test utilization, improved workflow and operations, and enhanced lab quality and efficiency.
2. How does lab analytics software automate process improvement?
Lab analytics software extracts, analyzes, and interprets data within the Laboratory Information System (LIS). It offers detailed reports and dashboards that help identify areas for improvement such as meeting deadlines, providing accurate quality assurance, and addressing staffing demands.
3. Can lab analytics software help with staffing needs?
Yes, lab analytics software predicts staffing needs based on changing demands. It tracks staffing requirements by department, workstation, time of day, test, and other critical criteria, reducing the hours spent on workload forecasting.
4. How does lab analytics software improve test utilization and financial performance?
Lab analytics software provides detailed reports on test utilization, highlighting unnecessary tests. By eliminating these tests, labs can improve the use of staff time and essential supplies, thus enhancing financial performance.
5. What operational efficiencies can be gained from lab analytics software?
Lab analytics software can track various data points to improve operational efficiency, including turnaround time, workload details, and productivity analysis. This allows for the fast-tracking of test completion, detailed workload descriptions, and individual productivity metrics.
6. How does lab analytics software enhance lab quality and efficiency?
Lab analytics software monitors the entire lab testing cycle and identifies variables that could cause errors in pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic phases. It analyzes both text notes and structured data to ensure high-quality lab tests and efficient operations.
7. Is lab analytics software secure?
Yes, a HIPAA-compliant lab analytics software ensures that all patient data is protected against cyber threats. It adheres to strict security measures to keep data safe from potential attacks, theft, or natural disasters.
8. How can I get started with lab analytics software?
Contact Lifepoint Informatics today at 877.522.8378 for a free demo of our lab analytics solution and interface engine. You can also reach out through our contact page to discuss your specific needs and get started on transforming your lab operations.