Mar 16, 2012 | Coding, Billing, and Collections, Compliance, Legal, and Malpractice, Digital Pathology, Instruments & Equipment, Laboratory Hiring & Human Resources, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Managed Care Contracts & Payer Reimbursement, Management & Operations, News From Dark Daily
Don’t wait another day to register for the 17th Annual Executive War College on Lab and Pathology Management, because today, March 16th, is the last day you can save $100 on your early bird registration. And with seats filling up fast, you risk missing the opportunity to hear more than 80 leading experts on the new financial stresses that clinical labs and pathology groups can expect in 2012.
This information-packed two-day event includes a full range of laboratory management and operational innovations plus strategies for improved profitability. Get a complete list of the topics and speakers we’ve already confirmed. Then take advantage of our early-bird discount (which ends today) and register now. (more…)
Aug 18, 2011 | Coding, Billing, and Collections, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, News From Dark Daily
However, medical laboratory billing/collections is often weak, even at top-performing outreach programs
If there is one bright spot in the revenue picture for many hospitals and health systems, it is how well-run hospital laboratory outreach programs produce strong growth in net revenue and contribution margin. Because of double-digit growth rates for outreach and outpatient procedures, clinical laboratory programs that target office-based physicians can produce impressive results.
“In our annual survey of hospital and health system laboratory outreach programs,” a significant number of participating hospitals report very strong rates of growth in specimen volume and net collected revenue,” stated Kathleen Murphy, Ph.D., who is CEO of Chi Solutions, Inc., based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “We are regularly surprised at how many of these better-performing hospital lab outreach programs are growing at rates of 12% to 25% per year, sustained over three to more consecutive years. (more…)
Oct 7, 2010 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, News From Dark Daily
Lab Manager Training will take place in Baltimore, San Francisco, Chicago, and Miami
Very shortly, the lack of experienced and competent laboratory managers will become the next intractable staffing problem for the nation’s clinical laboratories and pathology groups. Most medical laboratories—already struggling to find adequate numbers of medical technologists (MT) and clinical laboratory scientists (CLS)—will find themselves with an even more acute shortage of skilled managers at every level, from bench supervision to senior laboratory leadership.
Clinical lab managers about to retire in waves
Simply said, the nation’s laboratory leaders are about to experience a demographic time bomb that will rapidly decimate all levels of lab managers in their clinical pathology laboratories. Few medical laboratory organizations are prepared to respond effectively to the predicted rapid turnover among their most experienced and skilled lab managers.
Of course, the demographic time bomb refers to the coming tidal wave of baby boomer retirements. As a reminder, on January 1, 2011—just 85 days away—the oldest baby boomer turns 65 and becomes eligible for social security and Medicare benefits!
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Oct 5, 2010 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, News From Dark Daily
Lab Quality Confab showcases the next paradigm shift for clinical laboratory QA/QC
Can Lean, Six Sigma, and process improvement techniques measurably improve the quality of analytical test results produced by clinical pathology laboratories? A handful of innovative pathologists and laboratory scientists say the answer is “yes”!
The outcomes from their pioneering efforts to deliberately attack and improve the quality of the analytical test results in their medical laboratories provide early evidence that Lean, Six Sigma, and similar performance improvement methods can play a role in reducing patient risk while significantly increasing the analytical integrity of the lab tests produced by their organizations.
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Sep 24, 2010 | Laboratory Pathology, News From Dark Daily
Announcement is more evidence that hospitals and clinical pathology laboratories are adopting Lean and Six Sigma methods
Guess which major healthcare organization is raising the profile of Lean and Six Sigma within its walls? It is The Joint Commission! The Joint Commission recently promoted an experienced master black belt to two key positions.
Clinical laboratory managers and pathologists will be interested to learn that Alex Vandiver, MBB, was appointed to be Director of Business Excellence, as well as Director of the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare.
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