Learning From Pathology’s Success: Why H&I Labs Should Embrace Automation

Automation in laboratory settings is far from a new concept. Many pathology disciplines, such as clinical chemistry and haematology, have relied on automation for years to enhance efficiency, reduce error rates, and increase throughput. As Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (H&I) laboratories face growing demands for high precision, rapid turnaround times, and complex testing workflows, the time is ripe to follow suit.

1. Increased Efficiency and Throughput

One of the primary drivers for automation in pathology was the need to handle large volumes of tests swiftly and accurately. In transfusion medicine and histopathology, automation allowed for rapid processing of tests, enabling quicker diagnosis and treatment decisions. Automation can streamline repetitive tasks, such as pipetting, sample preparation, and data entry, which are also prevalent in H&I laboratories. By automating these processes, labs can handle more samples in less time, significantly increasing throughput without compromising accuracy.

2. Reduction of Human Error

Manual processes in H&I labs, such as HLA typing and antibody screening, are not only time-consuming but also prone to human error. Even minor mistakes in these areas can have significant repercussions given the importance of assessing donor-recipient compatibility in transplantation. Automation minimises these risks by ensuring consistency and precision in each step of the workflow; the automation practices already in place in clinical chemistry enable automated analysers to manage complex assays with minimal human intervention.

3. Laboratory Workforce Optimisation

The global shortage of skilled laboratory scientists has placed significant strain on laboratories, including those specialising in H&I. Automation can help alleviate this burden by allowing existing staff to focus on more complex tasks, such as data interpretation or research, rather than routine, repetitive tasks. This not only improves job satisfaction but also makes better use of human resources, a trend observed and capitalised on in various other pathology disciplines.

4. Improved Turnaround Times

The demand for rapid results in H&I testing is high, especially in urgent transplantation cases where time is of the essence. Automated systems can reduce the time required to complete tests as they operate continuously without the need for breaks. This has been a significant advantage in disciplines like haematology, where automation has enabled faster and more reliable blood test results thus improving patient outcomes. In H&I, this efficiency lends itself well to library preparation for NGS-based assays such as HLA typing, chimerism or cell-free DNA monitoring.

Take Your Lab to the Next Level

Consider automated solutions like the HLA PRO™ system to modernise your laboratory workflows, improve efficiency, and maintain the highest standards of patient care. The future of H&I is automated; don’t get left behind!

To discuss how the One Lambda HLA PRO™ can transform your laboratory workflow, contact us at VH Bio.

 
 
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