Sep 17, 2014 | Compliance, Legal, and Malpractice, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Management & Operations
Health systems using big data in this manner include Carolinas Healthcare System and UPMC Health
Big data is all the rage in healthcare these days. However, one interesting development in this field is how hospitals are integrating consumer data with clinical data to identify patients at high risk. For example, if the post-surgical heart patient buys a package of cigarettes, some hospitals say they want to know.
This is a trend with interesting implications for clinical laboratories. For example, will hospitals using big data in this fashion want to include medical laboratory test results in the mix of information they collect and analyze on their patients? If so, are there ethical issues associated with using such lab test data in this manner? (more…)
Aug 31, 2012 | Coding, Billing, and Collections, Compliance, Legal, and Malpractice, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Health parks are one way health systems will respond to both the demand for integrated care and the need to expand access to those newly-insured because of the ACA law
In Georgia, WellStar Health System, a five-hospital health system, recently opened the first of a series of planned “health parks.” This is a new concept that assembles many different types of health services into a single setting. Medical laboratory testing is expected to be one of the clinical services contained within these health parks.
The arrival of health parks must be viewed from the perspective of accountable care organizations (ACO), medical homes, and similar care delivery models that share the goal of delivering integrated clinical care to patients. Given the essential role of clinical laboratory testing in diagnosis and treatment, it is likely that health parks will establish and offer in-house medical laboratory testing capabilities. (more…)
Jan 26, 2011 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Rapid, RNA Probe-Based Multiplex Assay Can Help Doctors More Accurately Diagnose Vaginitis
New models for integrated healthcare, such as medical homes and accountable care organizations (ACO), are moving from concept to reality. This will create different ways for clinical pathology laboratories to add value to patient care.
One important attribute of these new integrated healthcare delivery vehicles is the greater emphasis given to primary care. Health policymakers want primary care physicians, OB/GYNs, and pediatricians to be more proactive in detecting and treating disease while encouraging the patient to more actively maintain optimal health.
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