PETER RIVIERE: After earning my Bachelors’ degree in Molecular Biology, I started working in a laboratory and then transitioned into various positions selling scientific consumables and equipment. Here at Abbott, I’ve been fortunate to work in number of different roles – each of which has provided me with excellent opportunities to increase my knowledge of laboratory practices. What led me to Technical Solutions Design is my passion for learning and sharing my knowledge to help laboratories – and the people who work in them – become more successful. For me, there is no greater satisfaction than helping someone expand their capabilities – and then watching them share what they’ve learned with others.

PETER RIVIERE: My team and I may do three or four end-to-end business mapping workflows throughout the year. But we’re constantly doing tube workflows and process mapping in order to exchange insights. We’re in labs all the time, observing, listening, and collaborating to help solve challenges and improve operational performance. This creates a remarkable opportunity for us to gather learnings from a wide range of lab profiles, each of which is facing unique challenges. That’s what Technical Solutions Design is really about – continuous learning. We leverage industry insights to create value for the next laboratory that we engage with.

PETER RIVIERE: Australia is an extremely consolidated market. One dynamic that I see are cost pressures driving laboratories to increase operational efficiency by maximizing asset utilization. Laboratories are weighing potential solutions to understand how adaptable the solutions could be in the event that the lab needs to realign its business model to changing market conditions – Every little advantage helps.

I also see consolidation exerting pressure on large laboratories to look inwardly at processes not traditionally considered core testing. In response, labs are consolidating services like molecular testing and mass spectrometry into the core laboratory environment, while decentralizing higher volume testing back out to smaller satellite labs within their networks, releasing pressure on hub facilities. This raises complex logistical issues such as access to scientific expertise, harmonization of instruments across labs, distribution of testing volume, and transportation of samples.

PETER RIVIERE: I think it all comes down to really effective strategic planning. Gathering and communicating useful insights, especially about past, current, and future healthcare trends. The importance of critical thinking at every level cannot be overemphasized. And bring your partners into the process. As it’s been said, “None of us is as smart as all of us.”