Workflow & Performance
Laboratory Operations Improvement
Operational improvement begins by locating the real constraint—not by assuming the laboratory needs more people, another instrument, or a new software platform. We examine how specimens, information, decisions, and exceptions move through the laboratory to improve turnaround time, consistency, capacity, and accountability.
Who this service helps
- Laboratories facing recurring turnaround-time delays or backlogs
- Operations leaders managing variable volume and limited capacity
- Histology teams experiencing rework, overtime, or inconsistent flow
- Executives seeking measurable improvement before major capital investment
What the work can accomplish
- Visibility into queues, handoffs, exceptions, and capacity constraints
- A practical plan to reduce TAT variation and recurring operational friction
- Better alignment among staffing, workload, equipment, and service expectations
- Measures that show whether process changes are producing sustained improvement
How we approach it
- We map the current workflow from specimen receipt through reporting and identify where work waits, repeats, or loses ownership.
- We separate routine flow from outliers so the team does not redesign the entire operation around exceptional cases.
- We compare workload patterns with staffing competencies, shift design, instrument utilization, and escalation rules.
- We translate findings into staged improvements with accountable owners and operational measures.
Practical consulting deliverables
- Current-state workflow and constraint map
- TAT, queue, rework, and capacity measurement plan
- Prioritized operational improvement actions
- Implementation roadmap with owners and success measures
Engagement scope
A focused operations review can target a single bottleneck such as histology or reporting, while a broader assessment can follow the full specimen journey across departments and systems.
Experienced pathology leadership
David “DJ” Dalton, PhD, MBA brings more than 20 years of pathology industry experience spanning Labcorp, Paige AI, Lumea/Modella AI, digital pathology, laboratory operations, product strategy, commercialization, and executive leadership.
Last reviewed September 2026. About David Dalton
Frequently asked questions
How do you identify the cause of laboratory turnaround-time delays?
We examine median performance and outliers by specimen type, process step, shift, day, instrument, and handoff. This distinguishes a routine capacity constraint from recurring exceptions, unclear ownership, or downstream reporting delays.
Does laboratory improvement always require new technology?
No. Standard work, queue visibility, staffing alignment, clearer escalation rules, and better handoffs may create meaningful capacity before a capital purchase is necessary.
How should a laboratory measure operational improvement?
Measures should include more than average TAT. Useful indicators can include percentile TAT, backlog age, repeat work, instrument utilization, overtime, exception frequency, and service-level reliability.