Automations and Robotics Improves Quality Healthcare in the Era of Digital Medical Laboratory

Abstract

Medical laboratory automation and robotics have come to stay and there are three types of laboratory settings based on automations: fully automated, partially automated, and not automated. Over the long term, automation and robotic technologies will be the primary engine of prosperity, lifting wages, standards, and working conditions in medical laboratory services. But in the short term, these same technologies present high cost and other possible risks that must be managed for a better future of an automated and robotic medical laboratory. Notably, the implementation of automation and robotics in medical laboratory science does have challenges such as avoidable errors under manual operation, but in the long run, after medical laboratory staff are conversant with the operations, quality and efficiency are assured. After the COVID-19 experience, the threat of automation and robotics to medical laboratory services could be addressed and minimized for improved services, economic boost, client satisfaction, and quality improvement in the healthcare sector.