Assessing the real-world utility of automated mass spectrometry in clinical labs

• Due to its analytical power and high specificity, mass spectrometry is becoming increasingly part of routine clinical practice. However, its complexity continues to hinder integration into central laboratories with optimal accessibility and turnaround times
• Data shows that automated mass spectrometry solutions can address the challenges of conventional mass spectrometry by improving usability and workflow
• To handle the increasing volumes of diagnostic tests, lab leaders should consider automated mass spectrometry solutions to meet the needs of clinicians and patients

The healthcare sector generates nearly 30% of the world’s data, placing growing pressure on clinical laboratories to handle rising volumes efficiently and accurately.¹ Mass spectrometry, once confined to specialist labs, is gaining ground in routine clinical labs and diagnostics for its analytical power and specificity.² Now, with lab automation, mass spectrometry is poised to become a core lab solution, and the global clinical mass spectrometry market is projected to reach $1.2 billion by 2027.

At this year’s EuroMedLab Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Lisa van der Vorm from Amsterdam University Medical Center, Linda van Mil from University Hospital UZ Leuven, and Arber Rexhaj from the Institute of Laboratory Medicine LMU Hospital discussed their real-world experiences with automated mass spectrometry solutions. Their findings, drawn from a large-scale multicenter evaluation, highlighted significant advancements in usability, data analytics, and workflow.

The goal of the multicenter evaluation study was to assess the real-world usage of an automated mass spectrometry solution in the hands of clinical lab operators. The study was structured around four key pillars: system functionality, workflow efficiency, analytical performance, and overall practicality and usability. These criteria helped assess how the system performed in day-to-day settings, including its precision, speed, and ease of use for both seasoned specialists and those new to mass spectrometry. Studies were conducted across eight sites in the United States, Europe, and Japan, generating over 150,000 results across more than 40 analytes under routine laboratory conditions.³ 

To evaluate the system's usability and practicality, twenty-six trained participants—from experienced liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) experts to core lab staff—completed a comprehensive questionnaire. The survey covered 10 categories, including product design, training, maintenance, and ecological footprint.³

The automated mass spectrometry solution utilized in the study was used as a stand-alone unit. It may be integrated into core labs in the future, connecting it with existing infrastructure and the laboratory information system (LIS). It automates sample prep, enables high-throughput processing, and delivers sensitive and specific detection of the analyte. With built-in data processing, result flagging, and maintenance guidance, labs can operate with minimal manual oversight. “It’s a true end-to-end system,” noted Dr. van der Vorm.

More than 94% of respondents reported that the automated lab solution met or exceeded their expectations, validating its value in both usability and performance.³ Experienced LC-MS users rated the tool significantly better than their existing workflows. Core lab staff also reported ease of use, suggesting the system offers broad usability benefits regardless of background. Categories such as product design, training, and daily workflow saw particularly strong scores, highlighting its user-friendly interface and clear, well-structured documentation that supports smoother onboarding.³

Operators also rated the automated lab solution higher than their existing systems across reagent handling, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting. LC-MS users appreciate its intuitive interface, ready-to-use reagents, and automated data processing, noting that even complex processes like calibration and error recovery were simplified. “It's very intuitive to change them and very easy, and of course, time-saving,” remarked Rexhaj. Further, the data revealed strong analytical performance with low coefficients of variation (CVs) and high reproducibility.³

Adoption of mass spectrometry in clinical labs has historically been limited by complexity, despite its powerful diagnostic capabilities.² The problem is that traditional mass spectrometry systems are labor-intensive, requiring highly skilled personnel for system setup, recalibration routines, and technical support.⁴ “For conventional LC-MS systems, you need an expert with lots of working experience because otherwise it's not possible to solve the troubleshooting problems,” said Rexhaj.

By contrast, the automated mass spectrometry solution offers significant improvements in lab workflows — random access testing, automated results and reports, and far less hands-on time. “So the system, in my eyes, has more of the walk-away principle,” commented van Mil. “You can do all the other things you have to do at the core lab and just let your analyzer do its own thing.”

Accessibility is one of the system’s major advantages and can help increase adoption of mass spectrometry in the routine clinical lab. “You don't need highly trained expert staff. You don't need to have experience with LC-MS. You don't even need experience with a core lab analyzer,” said Dr. van der Vorm, “every routine lab technician can operate the system.”

Variability across lobs has long challenged standardization in mass spectrometry, largely due to a lack of harmonized protocols and certified reference materials. This problem is particularly acute for analytes such as vitamin D and aldosterone, for which accuracy is critical.^5,6 Automated solutions that support traceability to higher-order reference standards help address this gap.

Automated mass spectrometry offers practical advantages for the lab such as minimal training requirements, simplified calibration, and built-in troubleshooting support. These features not only improve consistency but also reduce staff burden, making the system more scalable and manageable for routine clinical use.

Clinical laboratories must move toward faster, more scalable platforms, and automated mass spectrometry solutions are emerging as tools that can help laboratory leaders meet that need. By lowering the technical barrier to entry, improving reproducibility, and reducing labor demands, these automated systems bring mass spectrometry into the realm of everyday clinical diagnostics.