Enhanced IT Propels Clinical Laboratory Services Sector

Fueled by new information technology (IT) software that allows laboratories to test in new ways, the USD 102 billion global market for clinical laboratory services is rapidly growing and evolving, according to a new healthcare market report. The growing number of laboratories offering specialty testing is an indication of such advancements in the industry.

The new report “Clinical Laboratory Services Market” by Kalorama Information (New York, NY, USA) provides an in-depth overview and total market analysis including routine and specialty testing, analysis by laboratory type, and a review of the latest trends driving growth, including new developments being pursued in genomics and proteomics that will likely result in more advanced testing and a better understanding of diseases.

“Several new technologies have streamlined the clinical laboratory industry,” said Bruce Carlson, publisher, Kalorama Information, “Leading healthcare IT companies now offer laboratory management software designed to easily manage the day-to-day activities.” For example, Cerner Corporation’s “Millennium PathNet General Laboratory Software” has been implemented in several large national accounts — improving turnaround times and laboratory efficiency. Advanced software, wireless technologies, and growth in implementation have allowed for easy access to lab results, including remote access for physicians, billing staff, and patients.

Efficiently communicating results with clients is essential and may be as important as providing leading test menus in cutting-edge areas. In an evolving effort to more efficiently connect with patients and physicians, several laboratories have developed electronic test result distribution. This is not a novel concept but it has been an area of focus over the past few years, especially as new electronic technologies and the internet are used extensively.

Quest Diagnostics developed an app to allow patients to access their results via smartphone. This app also supports other health information, including storing immunization and other medical records, vital health stats, various healthcare providers’ contact information, as well as names and numbers of prescriptions, their dosages, and allergies to foods or medications. Such data provide convenient access and could prove invaluable in a health emergency. An important consideration is patient confidentiality, the connection to patient records must be highly secure and granted only to the correct parties.

Kalorama’s report provides key market data for tissue pathology, routine chemistry testing, non-tissue molecular testing, toxicology/drug abuse testing, as well as statistics for hospital, physician, and independent labs, and the major tests performed by clinical lab companies. Information and forecast is presented as a United States-focused report, with general worldwide data and a section on key international markets including Europe, Asian Pacific, and Latin America. Historical data is provided for the years 2010 through 2014, with forecast data provided for 2016 through 2020. Information was gathered using both primary and secondary research, including interviews with over 50 key industry officials, consultants, health care providers, and government personnel.

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Clinical Laboratory Services Market, report