Exploring the diversity of health innovation labs: models, roles and impact in modern healthcare

Introduction Hospital-affiliated innovation labs foster the development and implementation of novel healthcare solutions through collaboration among clinicians, researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders. Despite their growing presence, systematic analyses of their structures, focuses and impacts are limited. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of innovation labs affiliated with the top 50 hospitals in Newsweek’s 2025 World’s Best Hospitals ranking. Data were collected from hospital websites, reports and academic publications, focusing on labs explicitly termed ‘innovation labs’. Labs were categorised by primary focus (research vs non-research), activity domains, resources and outputs. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed. Results We identified 25 innovation labs across 15 hospitals, predominantly in the USA (84%). A majority (80%) operated within clinical or university departments, indicating strong institutional integration. Primary focuses were research (48%), support (40%) and education/training (12%). Key activity domains included software development (48%), artificial intelligence (32%) and health services (32%). Research-focused labs were more likely to produce academic publications and involve interdisciplinary teams. Non-research labs prioritised support activities and external services. Notably, there was significant overlap in activities between research and non-research labs. Conclusion Health innovation labs play a crucial role in healthcare transformation through diverse activities. However, their distribution is uneven, with a strong US dominance. The absence of standardised definitions and evaluation criteria may hinder scalability and effectiveness. Future efforts should focus on developing structured frameworks to optimise their impact, align with healthcare priorities and promote broader global accessibility and innovation.