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R. Lewis Dark: Laboratories Lead Healthcare on Quality Systems
IS THE REST OF HEALTHCARE CATCHING UP TO THE LABORATORY INDUSTRY
when it comes to the use of quality management systems like ISO-9000,
Six Sigma, and Lean? In the May 2, 2005 issue of Modern Healthcare,
there's a major story on quality management systems and how some hospitals
are using same to drive major improvements in performance.
For clients and regular readers of THE DARK REPORT, this is old news.
Since our founding in 1995, we've been first to report on the substantial
benefits accruing to labs which first pioneered the use of quality management
systems. It was 1998 when we were the only lab industry source
to announce the ISO-9000 certification of Quest Nichols Institute (San
Juan Capistrano, California) and provide details of specific benefits generated
by this laboratory's adoption of ISO management precepts.
The laboratory industry should be proud of the fact that it is ahead of
the hospital industry in accepting quality management systems. These
are the management tools which will enable pathologists and laboratory
managers to better meet the challenges of falling reimbursement and the
need to raise the quality of health outcomes.
For those who don't know, Modern Healthcare can be described as a"U.S. News & World Report" weekly magazine for healthcare executives.
It is widely-read by hospital administrators. I say this for a reason.
As I read Modern Healthcare's story about quality management systems
in hospitals, I was struck by the reporter's tone. Instead of highlighting
the major improvements in operations, clinical outcomes, and productivity
enjoyed by the handful of hospitals now utilizing Lean, Six Sigma,
ISO-9000, and other systems, the reporter chose to characterize the
champions of such quality initiatives as"enthusiasts."
The story conveyed an impression that Lean and Six Sigma practitioners
in hospitals were"outside the mainstream" because of their energy
and enthusiasm. I strongly disagree with this perspective. I hold firm
convictions that Lean/Six Sigma-types of management philosophies are
poised to trigger radical evolution in healthcare. Modern Healthcare's
willingness to under-emphasize the powerful potential of these quality
management systems might be considered a sign that it believes many
hospital administrators are still unprepared to accept quality management
systems as a credible tool for their institutions.
Lab Innovators Point Way At Executive War College
Emerging trends point to more emphasis on lab service quality & physician satisfaction
CEO SUMMARY: Now in its tenth year, this Executive War
College attracted a record crowd, including laboratory leaders
from Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia. The unexpected
finding was that, along with the growing acceptance of Lean, Six
Sigma and other quality management systems by the nation's
first-rank lab organizations, assertive surveying of physician
and patient satisfaction is driving strategic progress.
Carilion Health Acquires Chi Lab Consultancy
Both buyer and seller are implementing new business strategies with this transaction
CEO SUMMARY: In selling Park City Solutions Laboratory
Services Group to Carilion Health System, Park City Solutions
is returning to its core competency in healthcare information
technology consulting services. For Carilion Health System,
this acquisition puts it firmly in the national lab consulting service
arena. Carilion will operate its laboratory consultancy in
total independence of its existing lab services division.
Phlebotomists in California Undergoing Certification
Get ready for new professional acronyms; CPT 1, CPT 2, LPT to be in lab lexicon
CEO SUMMARY: State certification of phlebotomists is
under way in the Golden State. By April 9, 2006, all plebotomists
in California will need to maintain state certification.
This development adds complexity to laboratory management
in California. However, there are no signs that
other states intend to follow California's lead in requiring
certification of phlebotomists.
For Molecular Tests, Evaluate All Factors
Changes in test specificity are likely to be noticed by clinicians
CEO SUMMARY: When this hospital lab adopted molecular
screening tests for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoaea,
physicians soon noticed a change in the rate of false
positives. In researching the performance of the molecular
assays compared to cultures, pathologists at this laboratory
gained a better appreciation of how the introduction of a new
molecular assay may disturb clinicians' practice patterns.
LIS Market Evolving To Serve New Needs
Changes, pressures on labs are driving
decisions on new lab information systems
CEO SUMMARY: Ongoing reimbursement declines, coupled
with other key factors, are pushing labs to seek new capabilities
for their laboratory information systems (LIS). Another
influence is the growth of molecular diagnostic programs in
hospital labs. Molecular testing places unique demands on an
LIS, which may further motivate labs to acquire newest-generation
IT solutions versus upgrading existing LIS installations.
Urology Revenue Loss
Drives AP Lab Condos
Medicare reductions for urology services
took effect on January 1 of this year
CEO SUMMARY: Urologists are motivated to operate
anatomic pathology laboratory condominiums as a way to
replace lost income after Medicare imposed a major reimbursement
cut for a key urology procedure. Capturing revenue
from ancillary services is a hot topic within the urology
profession. Here are details about this exploding trend
and why there is interest in anatomic pathology services.
INTELLIGENCE:
MERCK'S HPV VACCINE
SCORES WELL IN TRIALS,
APPLICATION TO FDA
EXPECTED IN MONTHS
HSA PREMIUMS DECLINE
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