Jun 6, 2014 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Management & Operations
Provider case studies demonstrate that involved teamwork and reengineering of frontline healthcare workers’ jobs leads to better clinical outcomes and improved patient satisfaction
Team-based care is coming to the American healthcare system. Among other things, this will create the need for clinical laboratories and anatomic pathology groups to better align how they report medical laboratory test results so that all appropriate members of a patient’s care team have timely and appropriate access to relevant lab test data.
One recent study of team-based care determined that expanding frontline workers’ roles is an effective response to healthcare industry pressures. The study was performed by the Engelberg Center for Healthcare Reform at the Brookings Institute. (more…)
Sep 3, 2013 | Laboratory Hiring & Human Resources, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Managed Care Contracts & Payer Reimbursement
Commission issues 12 recommendations to enhance physician and patient satisfaction, while creating a financially sustainable healthcare system
How quickly will fee-for-service disappear as a primary source of reimbursement for clinical laboratories, pathologists, hospitals, and physicians? If the recommendation of one credible group of physicians has its way, fee-for-service reimbursement could disappear in as little as five years.
This recommendation was made by National Commission on Physician Payment Reform as part of a report it issued in May. In its press release, the commission issued a call “for eliminating stand-alone fee-for-service payment by the end of the decade.” The group urges a transition over five years to a blended payment system that will yield better results for both public and private payers, as well as patients.” (more…)
Dec 10, 2010 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory Pathology, Management & Operations
One Outcome is Fewer Hospital Inpatient Admissions, Resulting in Lower Costs and Increased Doctors’ Income
Early evidence indicates that
patient-centered medical homes (PCMH) may be great for patients and beneficial to primary-care physicians and insurers—but not as favorable for hospitals because of reduced inpatient admissions. The good news for
pathologist and
clinical laboratory is a medical home program appears to improve utilization of medical laboratory tests.
The basic idea behind the concept to the medical home is to centralize care around a
primary-care physician. This primary-care physician manages an integrated team of acute, chronic, preventative, and end-of-life specialists so as to provide patients with personalized care. Data from the first medical home pilot projects indicates that one outcome of a medical home programs is that fewer patients need hospital in-patient care.
(more…)
