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Is Healthcare Undergoing a Fundamental Shift?

Commentary and Opinion by R. Lewis Dark / By Robert Michel

ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT RESPONSIBILITIES in laboratory management is deciding when to implement substantial change. Pathologists and lab administrators correctly understand that there are risks for acting too soon or too late when responding to changes in the healthcare marketplace. That’s why this year’s list of key trends in anatomic pathology is particularly interesting. Collectively, …

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Anatomic Path Trends Portend Deep Changes

Pathology Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Our biannual review of trends shaping the anatomic pathology profession reveals that a wide range of influences are active. The nation’s healthcare system is undergoing fundamental changes in how it views the quality of health services and how it will favor top-performing providers. For pathology group practices, this list of eight trends should …

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“January 12, 2004 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

There’s a new joint venture between a commercial laboratory and a multi-hospital group. On January 5, 2004, LabOne, Inc. of Lenexa, Kansas announced that it had completed negotiations with The Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati. LabOne paid $38.5 million to acquire core laboratory assets of the hospital-owned venture. It will also manage the rapid response …

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Welcome Back, Consumers!

Commentary and Opinion by R. Lewis Dark / By Robert Michel

DURING 2003, THERE WAS SURPRISING PROGRESS IN THE MOVEMENT to improve patient safety. Closely-connected to the patient safety trend are efforts to measure and make public the healthcare outcomes achieved by hospitals, physicians, laboratories, and other providers. One reason why this movement is important is that it begins the process of restoring the consumer as …

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2003’s Big Lab Stories Reflect Health Trends

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: At a minimum, 2003 proved to be a year of relative stability for the laboratory industry, as demonstrated by THE DARK REPORT’S “Ten Biggest Lab Stories of 2003.” The year was free of industry-wide crises and scan- dals. That allowed most laboratory administrators and pathologists to concentrate on improvements to their laboratory operations …

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LabOne Speaks Out About Use of “Free Testing”

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

DEAR EDITOR, In the August 26, 2002 issue of THE DARK REPORT, an article appeared entitled, “Two Blood Brothers Use ‘Free Testing’ Strategy.” In markets that we are “in-network” with various payers, this tactic of providing free testing is increasingly prevalent. While the competitive injury inflicted on other providers by this questionable practice is obvious, …

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Who’s Buying Labs? Activity Shifts Down

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: As the number of independent clinical laboratories dwindles, most remaining owners seem content to continue building their business—at least until a buyer makes them an offer “they can’t refuse.” Acquisitions of pathology group practices were also few in number during 2003. However, the reduced number of labs in the United States is causing …

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“December 22, 2003 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

Two more not-for-profit hospitals received the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award last month. St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri and Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, Florida become the second and third hospitals to receive this award for quality achievement. Last year, SSM Health, a 21-hospital health system in St. Louis, Missouri became the first healthcare …

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Lab Marketing Strategy Triggers Legal Concerns

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: That famous phrase “everyone wants something for nothing” does not describe TennCare Select’s reaction to the “free testing” that Quest Diagnostics is performing for its beneficiaries. TennCare provides a real-world example of how this strategy can put a laboratory at odds with an important payer in a region. An experienced healthcare attorney assesses …

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Where Will “Free Tests” Take the Lab Industry?

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: In the absence of public discussion, continued use of the “free testing” strategy by the nation’s more aggressive laboratory companies could trigger some unpleasant consequences that would affect all laboratories and pathology group practices. Five questions, presented here, illustrate how private and public healthcare payers might react to the ongoing use of “free …

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