| R. Lewis Dark:
Lab Medicine's Potential Versus Its Challenges
WE ARE STARTING A NEW YEAR. But is it the start of a new decade? That depends
on how one decides to determine the first year of a decade. Even Webster's
Dictionary recognizes this difference of opinion as to the start year of a decade.
For the word "decade," Webster's Dictionary offers a definition with two distinctions,
as follows. "...2) a period of ten years; esp., in the Gregorian calendar:
a) officially a ten-year period beginning with the year 1, as 1921-1930, 1931-
1940, etc.; and, b) in common usage, a ten-year period beginning with a year 0,
as 1920-1929, 1930-1939, etc. "Therefore, Webster's provides cover to advocates
of either method for measuring the start and finish of an individual decade.
Having provided you with an argument you can use to defend either
method of defining the start of a decade, I'd like to share some thoughts on
what lies ahead in laboratory medicine for the years that run from 2010 to
2019 (a decade as defined by "common usage," according to Webster's).
First is the opportunity. All of us in laboratory medicine will be part of
history’s first-ever exploration of the human genome and all the processes
associated with the mysteries of life. Science is peeling back the secrets of DNA, RNA, and the human proteome, while at the same time learning practical was to use this knowledge to heal the sick and improve the health and
life of every individual, potentially from the moment of conception to death.
This is an unprecedented opportunity for laboratorymedicine. Pathologists
and laboratory scientists are poised to contribute immense value to individuals
and to society at large. Itmeans that entrepreneurs in lab testing should do well
in the coming years by recognizing how to adopt laboratory businessmodels in
the new ways necessary to package and deliver valuable diagnostic, therapeutic,
and patient-monitoring services to the healthcare system.
On the other hand, the challenge for labmedicine will be how to overturn the
resistance to change that is a trait of healthcare in the United States so that the best
new genetic science can find its way into clinical diagnostics. It is a challenge built
around the adage of "follow the money." Expect the folks getting themoney today
to resist changes to the status quo which favor rapid adoption of new genetic and
molecular testing technologies. Therefore, whether you agree that the new decade
starts in 2010 or 2011, what remains true is that the next 10 years have the
potential to make pathology a pre-eminent clinical service because of how it
delivers life-saving and life-enhancing genetic/molecular information.
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New Clinical Lab Trends
To Shape Events in 2010
Trends point to more emphasis on excellence
in clinical laboratory management and operations
CEO SUMMARY: In presenting this list of macro trends for
clinical laboratories, several themes are in play. They range from a
continued emphasis on improving lab operations to the need to
acquire and deploy sophisticated information technology. During
the next few years, the long-predicted retirement of Baby Boomers
will kick in. That will aggravate the existing shortage of medical
technologists and skilled lab professionals. It is just one of several
critical issues soon to challenge lab executives and pathologists.
LAB INDUSTRY MACRO TREND FOR CLINICAL LABORATORIES
No 1: Quality Management Systems
Now an Option for Clinical Laboratories
No 1: Quality Management Systems
Now an Option for Clinical Laboratories
No 2: More Labs Use Lean Six Sigma
To Improve TAT, Performance
No 3: Work Flow and Work Processes
Become a Management Driver
No 4: Automation Serves Lab Goals
To Improve TAT, Quality, Service
No 5: Automation Is New Option
In Micro, Histology, Molecular
No 6: Hospital Lab Outreach Programs
Become Service-Rich Offerings
No 7: As Docs Adopt EMRs, Labs Offer
E-Prescribing, Imaging Orders
No 8: EMR Funding Incentives Open
Door to New Compliance Issues
No 9: Middleware Comes into Its Own
And Gives Labs Extra Function
No 10: SaaS and Cloud Computing
Gaining Acceptance by Laboratories
No 11: Molecular Testing Contributes
Ever More Clinical Value
No 12: Consumers Step Up Interest
In Ordering Their Lab Tests
No 13: Home Brew Testing Grows,
As Does FDA Intent to Regulate
No 14: Patient Satisfaction Surveys
Raise Competitive Bar
No 15: Clinical Labs Get Creative To
Maintain Med Tech Staff Levels
No 16: Point-of-Care Testing Poised
To Make Bigger Contributions
No 17: Multi-Modality Diagnosis
Makes Early Progress
No 18: Many Local Labs Still Access
Managed Care Contracts
No 19: Underfunding for Laboratory Testing Can Undermine Quality
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