During the course of a Q&A with one of our editorial advisors, Robert Neri, DLM(ASCP), FACHE, earlier this year, we asked what his management philosophy was that drives overall automation planning. In response, he mentioned two governing ideas: first, finding ways to produce greater efficiency in operations and, second, accommodating the fact that the laboratory workforce is shrinking. 

These concerns appear to be universal for laboratory directors across the nation, and while current budgets for automation appear low, all indications point toward increases in the next few years. As automation technology becomes more advanced and return-on-investment justifications become more evident, clinical labs will find ways to take advantage of these systems.