What is the biggest challenge that clinical laboratories will face in 2008?
Uphoff: For our laboratory, the biggest challenge will be choosing the best technologies and platforms for growth that will provide clinically useful results at a manageable cost. The ability to attract well-trained laboratory personnel is critical and will continue to be a challenge for all labs. Williams: I think the technology to perform complex testing gets easier to use each year. The real challenge for us is providing high-quality laboratory data, integrated with other relevant information, to physicians electronically (so they can provide the best patient care). Otherwise, the sheer quantity, diversity, and complexity of the results that the lab can produce can seem overwhelming to clinicians. Hakim: Personnel shortages will continue to be a challenge in 2008, requiring labs to look for LISs that improve productivity. With an expected 5% growth in testing and a reduced labor pool, labs will need LISs with artificial intelligence to assist the technician in improved productivity
