Siemens Healthineers reveals survey results and its latest innovations at ADLM 2026

At the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo, Booth 3201, Siemens Healthineers is unveiling new laboratory innovations and survey findings¹ that highlight the growing strategic value of clinical laboratory services for U.S. healthcare organizations.

The research, commissioned by Siemens Healthineers and conducted by YouGov, shows that C-suite leaders across the United States are prioritizing investment in laboratory modernization to support financial sustainability, patient satisfaction, and improved quality outcomes.

Laboratory services gain recognition as strategic clinical enablers

The new survey findings, released at ADLM 2026, indicate that laboratory professionals are gaining recognition from healthcare executives for their vital role in patient care and health system performance.

More than half of healthcare executives surveyed view their laboratory as an important clinical enabler rather than just an operational function. Among the 155 U.S. healthcare executives whose organizations perform laboratory testing on-site, many now see the lab as a lever to support broader organizational goals, including efficiency, quality, and patient experience.

C-suites prioritize lab upgrades just behind AI

Healthcare executives are increasingly aware that aging laboratory infrastructure can limit performance and increase risk. The majority of surveyed leaders agree that aging lab equipment poses a risk to their institution and its mission. As a result, diagnostic and laboratory equipment ranks near the top of their technology upgrade priorities, second only to AI-enabled tools or decision-support technologies.

Among the 95% of respondents who considered changes to their laboratory services in the past 12 months, 82% focused on growth, while the remainder evaluated outsourcing or consolidation. Organizations that implemented changes (n=148) primarily expanded laboratory services by investing in infrastructure (37%), broadening their test menu (31%), creating new offerings (18%), and/or acquiring lab services (11%). Additional changes included consolidating redundant operations (18%) and outsourcing (13%).

Executives link lab performance to patient care and efficiency

The survey reveals strong C-suite recognition that optimal laboratory operations are essential for institutional performance. Among respondents, 81% strongly agree that laboratory turnaround times directly affect patient care, and 72% strongly agree that lab performance is critical to wider organizational efficiency.

These insights reinforce the importance of investing in laboratory workflows, instrumentation, and informatics to support timely, accurate diagnostics that underpin clinical decision-making across the care continuum.

Addressing aging infrastructure and workforce constraints

Many laboratories are under pressure from rising testing volumes, aging infrastructure, and workforce shortages. Healthcare executives acknowledge that aging lab equipment poses a risk to their institution and its mission, with 30% strongly agreeing and 54% agreeing.

In response, 54% of surveyed leaders say they are prioritizing diagnostic and laboratory equipment ahead of other medical technology for upgrades, placing it just behind AI tools or decision-support technologies (64%).

Workforce shortages rank high among healthcare executives’ concerns, with sixty-five percent of respondents reporting that lab staff shortages have affected their organization, yet just over one-third admit that lab staff shortages are not prioritized comparably to other clinical staff shortages (n=100).

Technology expectations: operational performance, patient care, and long-term value

As laboratories are expected to deliver more with fewer resources, technology is becoming an increasingly important enabler of sustainable growth. However, the survey highlights lagging adoption of automation and AI solutions that can reduce manual workloads, support overextended staff, and improve quality, consistency, and operational resilience.

Healthcare leaders indicate that they are looking for technologies that can:

• Improve operational performance
• Enhance patient care and/or quality outcomes
• Create long-term value for their organization

These expectations point to the need for clearer business cases and measurable proof points that demonstrate how laboratory modernization can translate into strategic impact.

Siemens Healthineers at ADLM 2026

At ADLM 2026, Siemens Healthineers will demonstrate how laboratories can turn investment into impact with proof points that resonate with the C-suite. Attendees will be able to experience the next-generation Atellica Forte Series platform*, which is designed to help laboratories modernize their diagnostics ecosystem.

Through automation, advanced informatics, connected diagnostics, and flexible testing options, Siemens Healthineers supports laboratories in overcoming operational and workforce constraints while contributing to broader organizational goals.

References

1. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. How Clinical Labs Can Turn C-Suite Insights into Strategic Impact. July 2026.

* The Atellica Forte Series is not available for sale in the U.S., and future availability cannot be guaranteed.

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