Oct 22, 2009 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Labs Must Report Privacy Breaches of 500 or More to the Media
Call it HITECH collides with HIPAA! Most pathologists and lab executives know that passage of the HITECH Act was the part of 2009’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (also referred to as “ARRA” or the “stimulus bill”). HITECH provides incentives for the expanded use of electronic health records by physicians and other providers.
But what is lesser known is how the HITECH Act creates new legal obligations of covered entities and business associates under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA). These new legal mandates are designed to protect the privacy and security of the patient. They require clinical laboratories and all providers to take specific actions whenever patient privacy is breached.
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Aug 12, 2009 | Digital Pathology, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Use of digital pathology imaging allows both specialists to jointly review cases
In a pioneering effort at The University of Kansas, a radiologist and a pathologist are working side by side to review each other’s primary images and issue an integrated diagnostic report for breast cancer patients. The big surprise from this groundbreaking collaboration is a measurable improvement in diagnostic accuracy, leading to improved patient outcomes.
By reaching across the traditional silos that separate the daily practice of radiology from the daily practice of pathology, these two specialists have demonstrated that the concept of diagnostic integration of in vivo (imaging) and in vitro (pathology) diagnostics can demonstrably improve patient care. In part, this happens because of improved concordance in the reports issued by the radiologist and the pathologist.
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Jul 9, 2009 | Laboratory Pathology, Management & Operations
Coaching Proves Effective Way To Improve Performance Of Lab Managers and Lab Staff
In the midst of a sustained labor shortage—and facing the impending retirement of highly-experienced baby boomer managers—innovative clinical laboratories and pathology labs are taking special efforts to develop the management and leadership skills of their most promising younger managers. Coaching, rather than mentoring, is more often the preferred approach to achieve this goal.
“Coaching programs in the lab industry are growing in number and effectiveness. This is especially true among the more innovative clinical laboratories in the United States,” observed Jeff Smith, Vice-President of Leadership Development for Slone Partners and Titan Management University. (more…)
Jun 9, 2009 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
What is my lab worth? That’s the question every laboratory seller wants to know!
Despite an economy in recession, laboratory buyers remain bullish on the financial fortunes of clinical laboratories and anatomic pathology companies. The lack of publicly-announced acquisitions during 2009 masks the fact that lots of conversations are happening between lab buyers and lab owners.
Why such interest? On the buyer side, private equity companies and buyers are convinced that the demographics of the aging population translates into a robust demand for laboratory testing during the next decade. Further, they are enthusiastic about the potential for the steady introduction of powerful new diagnostic assays to further drive up lab test volume. They understand why patients and physicians will seek the benefits of higher sensitivity and improved accuracy from these new assays.
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Apr 9, 2009 | Laboratory Hiring & Human Resources, Laboratory Pathology
Learn why medical labs shoot themselves in the foot when advertising and interviewing candidate!
Probably the single most publicized trend in laboratory medicine is the shortage of medical technologists (MTs), clinical laboratory scientists (CLS), and medical laboratory technologists (MLTs). This shortage prevents many clinical laboratory managers from keeping their laboratories staffed at authorized levels.
Equally publicized is the looming mass exodus of Baby Boomers from clinical laboratory positions as they hit retirement age. The oldest Baby Boomers, born in 1946, are turning 63 this year! They are already eligible for early Social Security benefits and just 24 months from turning 65-the age when full Social Security and Medicare benefits are available to them.
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