Everyone is talking about digitalization, and it hasn’t stopped at laboratories. But what is the current state of affairs in accredited laboratories? What obstacles are blocking the digital transition? Despite economic uncertainties, the laboratory industry is increasingly investing in digitalization—driven by pressure to improve efficiency and ensure compliance. While IT budgets remain stable and investments in artificial intelligence (AI) are rising significantly, real-world practice reveals a digital divide between different types of laboratories and process levels.
Current status of the system landscape:
- Automation (LIMS): Medical laboratories are leading the way in handling high sample volumes, while technical testing laboratories often still struggle with direct instrument connectivity (interface connectivity).
- Quality Management (QMS): Here, the situation is reversed; technical laboratories are already using modern digital solutions, while the medical industry often still relies on paper-based systems in this area.
- The risk of "siloed solutions": Outdated Access databases or isolated software tools jeopardize operational reliability and data security.
Key trends and challenges:
- SaaS models as the "gold standard": Software-as-a-Service platforms are gaining in importance because they support standards such as ISO 17025 "out of the box" and replace time-consuming in-house development efforts.
- Cultural barriers: It is not the technology, but rather resistance to change among the workforce and a hesitant attitude on the part of accreditation bodies that are slowing progress.
- Focus on networking: The focus is shifting away from pilot projects (blockchain/big data) toward identifying and digitizing specific "bottleneck processes."
Conclusion: The future viability of laboratories depends not only on IT infrastructure, but also on the consistent integration of all processes to increase economic value.
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German Society for Quality (DGQ) (06/2024)