A new survey finds that 82% of executives considered expanding lab services, prioritizing modernization alongside artificial intelligence.
Healthcare executives are increasingly viewing clinical laboratory services as a strategic clinical enabler, with many prioritizing laboratory upgrades and service expansion, according to a survey commissioned by Siemens Healthineers and conducted by YouGov.
The findings, released at the Association for Diagnostics and Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo, suggest that laboratory professionals have gained recognition from leadership for their contributions to patient care and organizational goals. Approximately 14 billion laboratory tests are performed across clinical laboratories in the US each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Healthcare executives’ interest in laboratory services surpassed our expectations,” says Michele Zwickl, head of laboratory solutions for diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers North America, in a release. “The findings reflect an achievement laboratory professionals can be proud of – recognition that the laboratory is a valuable lever in support of health systems’ most important goals.”
Investment in Laboratory Modernization
Among the 155 US healthcare executives surveyed whose organizations perform laboratory testing on-site, the majority agree that aging laboratory equipment poses a risk to their institution and its mission. Respondents placed diagnostic and laboratory equipment at the top of their list for upgrades, second only to artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools or decision support technologies.
The survey reveals that 81% of respondents strongly agree that laboratory turnaround times directly affect patient care, and 72% strongly agree that laboratory performance is critical to wider organizational efficiency. Of the 95% of respondents who considered changes to laboratory services in the past 12 months, 82% focused on growth. Organizations that acted primarily expanded laboratory infrastructure, test menus, and new offerings, or acquired laboratory services.
Addressing Workforce and Efficiency Challenges
Clinical laboratories currently face significant challenges, including aging infrastructure and workforce constraints. While a nationwide laboratory staff shortage has left some facilities with vacancy rates as high as 25%, the survey suggests that leadership may still underestimate the impact. Although 65% of respondents say staff shortages have affected their organization, just over one-third admit these shortages are not prioritized comparably to other clinical staff vacancies.
Technology is viewed as an increasingly important enabler for sustainable growth, yet the survey reveals lagging adoption of automation and AI. Among executives who reported that laboratory investment considerations stalled, 31% cited uncertainty about the cost-benefit proposition as the primary reason. Healthcare leaders indicate they want technology that can improve operational performance, enhance patient care, and create long-term value.
“We’re challenging labs to rethink the performance of their entire diagnostics ecosystem—to become a strategic asset that helps healthcare organizations operate more efficiently, make more informed decisions, and improve access to quality care,” says Zwickl, in a release.
ID 71495056 © Angellodeco | Dreamstime.com
