Important Lab Industry Trends: What's Ahead in 2007By now, many of you have received the latest issue of The Dark Report. It has our up-to-the-minute list of important clinical laboratory trends for 2007. You’ll be surprised at several items on the list, particularly since each has the potential to either positively or negatively affect your laboratory. This analysis of lab industry trends plays a key role in guiding our selection of topics and speakers for the upcoming Executive War College on Laboratory and Pathology Management, to take place on May 10-11, 2007 in Miami, Florida. With the release of our 2007 Lab Industry trends, we are ready to announce topics and speakers, one of which is mentioned below. The story is titled "Key Trends Drive Change for Clinical Laboratories." What surprised me is that we can identify 14 distinct trends that should be on the strategic radar screen of every laboratory! Number one on the list is the growing acceptance of Lean and Six Sigma management methods by clinical laboratories and hospitals in the United States. I consider this a significant trend because it will alter the fundamental management style that we have all used so successfully in past decades. In our analysis, we point out that it was in 2003 that "first mover" laboratories embraced the quality management methods of Lean and Six Sigma—with spectacular outcomes. Observing that success, in recent years the lab industry's "early adopters" incorporated Lean and Six Sigma methods, with equal success. Now, as you will read in this current issue of The Dark Report, use of Lean and Six Sigma methods is beginning to move into the laboratory and hospital industry mainstream. Success with Lean and Six Sigma will be an important part of the case study presentation of Kaiser Permanente Colorado's Regional Laboratory. Over the past year, it has constructed a new, state-of-the-art laboratory facility in Denver. Lean methods were used in both the architectural and work flow design of the new lab. But there are several other fascinating elements to this lab’s story. At the same time that it was designing and building a new laboratory, it purchased an automated system from Bayer Diagnostics (Bayer Diagnostics is now part of Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics. It also purchased new instruments and analyzers throughout the laboratory. Simultaneous with these developments were further information technology integration projects that included laboratory services. Richard Spurlock, M.D. Pathology Chief at Kaiser Colorado, will present the case study. Because Kaiser Permanente rigorously evaluates the "before" and "after" when implementing new clinical services or reengineering operations, Dr. Spurlock will have detailed outcomes data, along with many useful insights about successfully planning and implementing these changes. You can hear Dr. Spurlock's presentation, along with 45 other eminent speakers, by joining us at this year's Executive War College. Make your decision to attend the Executive War College on Laboratory and Pathology Management today. To get updated information and register, visit us at Executive War College or call 800-560-6363. We look forward to seeing you in Miami on May 10-11, 2007. |
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