Sep 30, 2015 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Testing, Management & Operations
Utilization management of clinical laboratory testing is a big trend in laboratory medicine at the moment as innovative labs strive to add more value
DATELINE: DENVER, COLORADO—Interest in improving the utilization of clinical laboratory tests is at an all-time high among medical laboratories throughout the United States. Last week a national gathering of pathologists and laboratory professionals gathered in the Mile High City to share success stories and identify the best approaches to helping physicians better utilize lab tests.
This one-day conference on laboratory test utilization was organized by Mayo Medical Laboratories and the Mayo Clinic as part of its 27th Annual Conference on Laboratory Outreach. The keynote speaker was Michael G. Rock, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Mayo Clinic Hospitals/Mayo Foundation and an at-large member of the Board of Trustees of the American Hospital Association (AHA) and its Executive Committee.
Analysis of Key Trends in Healthcare
In recent years, Rock has been involved at the highest levels of healthcare strategy development, both at the Mayo Clinic and with several national hospital associations, including the American Hospital Association. He provided attendees at this conference with a razor-sharp analysis of key trends in healthcare. Rock then identified and explained the essential steps that innovative hospitals and health systems are taking to reshape their organization in order to provide the range of clinical services needed to support integrated healthcare and personalized medicine. (more…)
Jul 15, 2015 | Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Management & Operations
Consumers can access a physician anytime, anywhere on a computer or mobile device using a downloadable Walgreens app
As the national pharmacy chains take progressive steps to add more health services inside their retail stores, the day draws ever closer when they may want to add medical laboratory testing services to their menu of in-store clinical services.
At the moment, telemedicine physician consults is one healthcare service finding favor with several of the nation’s largest pharmacy chain companies. Recently, Walgreens (NYSE:WBA) of Deerfield, IL, signed an agreement with telemedicine vendor MDLIVE of Sunrise, Florida, to provide virtual doctor visits.
With this agreement, Walmart becomes the latest national pharmacy chain to offer telemedicine services within its retail stores. However, unlike competitors Rite Aid (NYSE:RAD), CVS (NYSE:CVS), and Walmart (NYSE:WMT), which are currently implementing in-store telemedicine services, Walgreens is providing this service via a downloadable app. Walgreens says this allows customers to access board-certified physicians and mental health specialists anytime and anywhere from a computer or mobile device—not just from within a Walgreens pharmacy. (more…)
Oct 24, 2011 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Management & Operations
As popularity of retail clinics grows among consumers, so does the likelihood of increased clinical pathology laboratory testing at these locations
Retail clinics (RC)—often called “rapid clinics”—are growing at a phenomenal rate. At the same time, more hospitals and health systems are deciding to participate in this growing trend, either by owning and operating such retail clinics in their communities or by providing the clinical staff.
Since the inception of this new care delivery model about six years ago, Dark Daily has predicted that consumers will support rapid clinics located in certain retail settings. Events to date bear this out. For that reason, pathologists and clinical laboratory managers should expect to see, over time, a steady increase in the menu of diagnostic testing offered by retail clinics.
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Aug 31, 2009 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Early example of how in-store walk-up clinics may expand their lab testing services
Pathologists concerned that in-store walk-up clinics might become important laboratory testing centers will be interested to learn about the latest development. The largest operator of these in-store clinics has just partnered with an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) manufacturer for exclusive access to a new rapid diagnostic test.
MinuteClinic, the pioneer and largest operator of in-store health clinics, has a deal with Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc. (RPS), a Sarasota, Fla.-based biotechnology company, to offer the RPS Adeno Detector test for conjunctivitis, or pink eye. This new point-of-care (POC) test will be initially offered at the MinuteClinics located in 23 CVS pharmacy stores in the Atlanta area.
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