The healthcare industry continues to make progress transitioning from volume-based to value-based payment systems, a concept that was introduced in 2006. Ultimately, the focus changed from the traditional fee-for-service approach to one where a holistic approach is taken to measure the value of the patient or population’s care. 

Although value-based healthcare is now a priority in many health systems globally, an assessment in 2016 found many countries are only beginning to align their health systems with these values. As a part of this transition, clinical laboratories need to move to a more sustainable model, one that better aligns with their health system’s enterprise goals and objectives in healthcare delivery. Built upon a strong Lab 1.0, Clinical Lab 2.0 is about post-diagnostic computation of aggregate, patient-centric, longitudinal data that produces actionable insights to identify at-risk patients, determine gaps in care, and facilitate interventions. 

Labs are first responders and with the advent of COVID-19, labs are serving as “command centres” during the pandemic and are the key to getting the COVID-19 pandemic in check.  

Since the first known case of COVID-19 in November 2019, there’s been uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus in predicting how many people will become infected and the rate at which infection will be spreading. The increase in suspected and confirmed cases has led to a shortage of testing kits and diagnostics, as well as limiting capacities of laboratories in many regions, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

We’ve gathered some insightful feedback from Khosrow R. Shotorbani, president and executive director of Project Santa Fe Foundation (Clinical Lab 2.0 initiative) and founder and CEO of Lab 2.0 Strategic Services, who shared how COVID-19 affects value-based healthcare and the escalated demand in labs.