Welcome

Testing Innovation: How are pathology labs using automation to drive efficiency and innovation in the post-Covid 19 world?  

Sponsored by Automata
Wednesday 13 October 2021, 12:30
Zoom

The Covid-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the life sciences sector like never before. But while lab turnaround times, accuracy and testing capacity for Coronavirus samples have become front page news, for pathology labs, the focus has shifted away from the life-saving testing, research and diagnostics they were designed for - and leaders in this field are desperate to get back to business as usual.

Even before the pandemic, pathology labs, supporting both NHS and private healthcare providers, were encountering multiple challenges in accessing the funding, technology, and skills needed to carry out their vital research and development. With Covid-19 shining a light on how critical these services are, the hope is that new funding and innovation will now flow into pathology services, with the recognition that fast, accurate diagnostics is pivotal for securing the best outcomes for patients.

However, while other industries have made clear strides in automating workflows with innovative robotic solutions, the life sciences sector is at risk of falling behind, with testing, accuracy and productivity weighed down by repetitive manual processes, despite the advances made in diagnostics techniques and wider medical research.

This roundtable event with senior industry peers will explore the key challenges and possible solutions for laboratory teams working in pathology as they explore the potential of new technologies to drive efficiencies and improve performance while meeting the need for innovation in the post-Covid 19 era.


Topics for discussion

• What have been the key operational challenges for pathology lab teams in the last 18 months?
  
  
• What are the current painpoints for labs in supporting the NHS to meet post-Covid demand for pathology services?
  
  
• What impact have covid-related limitations had on pathology labs, and has the pace of innovation changed in the sector?
  
  
• How is human error affecting the output of lab teams across pathology?
  
  
• How are labs setting themselves measurable targets for turnaround times, capability and accuracy, and what are the key roadblocks to meeting them?
  
  
• What are the best strategies for labs to scale up testing in the current environment?
  
  
• What role can automation play in making workflows more efficient?
  
  
• What are the limits of automation in the life sciences sector?
  
  

Timings:
12:30 – 12:40   Editor’s Welcome
12:40 – 14:00   Topic Discussion

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