The clinical laboratory industry has had to contend with a challenging environment shaped by the rising costs of materials, consolidation, staffing shortages and evolving provider relationships to name a few. A pronounced trend in the clinical laboratory industry is the consolidation of smaller hospitals and independent health systems into larger networks. Many small, cash-strapped hospitals are finding a lifeline through integration with larger health systems. By consolidating, these entities can streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. The United States demonstrates that this trend is not limited by geographic boundaries, with some consolidations occurring across state lines. An increasing number of independent healthcare providers are choosing employment with larger health systems rather than operating independently. This transition offers benefits for both the providers and the laboratory systems they work with. For providers, employment offers access to integrated support services, including advanced IT infrastructure, logistical support, and streamlined access to phlebotomy and other laboratory services. For laboratories, working with employed providers simplifies the management of workflows and testing procedures, as providers within a health system typically follow more uniform protocols. This shift also allows laboratories to improve efficiencies and reduce redundancies, further supporting cost savings and improved patient outcomes. As the employed-provider model becomes more prevalent, clinical laboratories are adapting their operations to better serve these providers’ specific needs. Staffing shortages remain a persistent challenge in the clinical laboratory industry, affecting both specimen collection and testing personnel. In response, many hospitals and laboratories are embracing automation as a means to optimize existing capacity without increasing staffing levels. Automation allows labs to process samples more quickly and accurately, minimizing the impact of workforce limitations. Additionally, automated systems can handle routine tasks, freeing up skilled staff to focus on more complex processes.