Reducing Cost Within Your Genomics Lab

Saving money in any laboratory is a common goal, however, in a genomic testing laboratory, there are three main cost drivers: retests, downtime, and mistakes. Below are a few ways to reduce cost.

 

Retests

Whether the DNA sample is insufficient, or an issue occurs while the test is being performed, every time the lab has to rerun the same test, it costs both time and money. Establishing reliable controls not only prevents retests, but also helps you determine what caused the test to fail.

 

Downtime

Downtime is not only a drag on productivity, but on the wallet as well. The tests performed in genomic labs require a complex series of steps. The smallest mishap during any of these steps forces the operating tech to stop what they’re doing and attempt to remedy the situation.

 

High-quality control is again, your best bet. Easily accessible, quality reference materials can also quickly get your team back on track after a mishap. Don’t feel you have the time or experience to develop your own materials? Organizations such as SeraCare can assist in developing and providing reference materials for laboratories.

 

Mistakes

Mistakes in a genomics lab can include anything from mislabeling a sample, to a seemingly small typo when inputting data. Mistakes may drive up expenses by causing delays, forcing you to dedicate additional resources to reanalyze a given sample, or even trigger litigation.

 

While mistakes are ultimately inevitable, a proactive quality control management system should help reduce both their frequency and severity. A strong quality control management program will help you catch minor issues before they escalate.