Optimizing Turnaround Times in Clinical Chemistry: A Comparative Study of Manual vs. Robotic Pre-Analytical Sorting Systems
Abstract
Newborn screening programs have been transformed by the introduction of tandem mass spectrometry, allowing for the simultaneous detection of dozens of metabolic disorders from a single dried blood spot. This study reviews the technical evolution of mass spectrometry platforms within the clinical laboratory over the last decade. We analyzed data from three regional screening centers to assess the sensitivity and specificity of current screening protocols. Our findings indicate that modern high-resolution instruments have significantly reduced the rate of false-positive results, thereby decreasing the psychological burden on families and the cost of unnecessary follow-up testing. The integration of advanced data processing algorithms further streamlines the diagnostic pipeline and reduces the time required for manual data interpretation by laboratory staff. We conclude that tandem mass spectrometry remains the gold standard for metabolic screening, though continuous calibration and inter-laboratory standardization are essential for maintaining global diagnostic quality in clinical settings.
