This is an excerpt of a 2,882-word article in the Oct. 14, 2019 issue of THE DARK REPORT (TDR). The full article is available to members of The Dark Intelligence Group.
CEO SUMMARY: Four trends are disrupting the nation’s healthcare system in ways that no one would have predicted just a few decades ago – including startling
Tag: Clinical Laboratory
Skip to articlesA clinical laboratory is a laboratory where tests are done on clinical specimens in order to get information about the health of a patient as pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Laboratory medicine is generally divided into two sections, each of which being subdivided into multiple units. These two sections are:
- Anatomic pathology: Units included here are histopathology, cytopathology, and electron microscopy. Other disciplines pertaining to this section include anatomy, physiology, histology, pathology, and pathophysiology.
- Clinical pathology, which includes:
- Clinical Microbiology: This encompasses five different sciences. These include bacteriology, virology, parasitology, immunology, and mycology.
- Clinical Chemistry: Units under this section include instrumental analysis of blood components, enzymology, toxicology and endocrinology.
- Hematology: This section consists of automated and manual analysis of blood cells.
- Genetics is also studied along with a subspecialty known as cytogenetics.
- Reproductive biology: Semen analysis, Sperm bank and assisted reproductive technology.
Credibility of medical laboratories is paramount to the health and safety of the patients relying on the testing services provided by these labs. The international standard in use today for the accreditation of medical laboratories is ISO 15189.
Accreditation is done by the Joint Commission, College of American Pathologists, AAB (American Association of Bioanalysts), and other state and federal agencies. CLIA 88, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, also dictate testing and personnel.
In addition, many clinical laboratories have adopted quality management programs such as Six Sigma and Lean quality to improve clinical quality, reduce turnaround time, cut costs, and boost productivity. Lean and Six Sigma are both process improvement methodologies. At a very basic level, Lean is about speed and efficiency, while Six Sigma is about precision and accuracy, leading to data-driven decisions. Lean and Six Sigma methods are finding numerous applications in anatomic pathology laboratories and pathology group practices.
DOJ Charges 35 Individuals In Genetic Testing Scam
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 14 – October 14, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Federal prosecutors said those charged illegally lured elderly patients nationwide into giving cheek swabs for fraudulent genetic tests. The indicted individuals allegedly paid kickbacks and bribes to medical professionals working with telemedicine companies in exchange for referring Medicare beneficiaries for unnecessary genetic tests. Indictments were announced on Sept. 27 in an investigation that
Strategist Explains Key Trends in Healthcare’s Transformation
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 14 – October 14, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Four trends are disrupting the nation’s healthcare system in ways that no one would have predicted just a few decades ago. Ted Schwab, a healthcare strategist, described these trends during his keynote presentation at the 24th Annual Executive War College in May. His insights and predictions will help clinical laboratory directors and pathologists develop
Alverno Labs Adds Eight Hospitals to Its Network
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 14 – October 14, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: In September, Alverno Laboratories, one of the largest networks of regional laboratories in the Midwest, added two Chicago hospital laboratories and six other hospital labs from the AMITA Health system to its network. The additional AMITA Health facilities joined Alverno as a result of health system consolidation. The consolidation of hospitals into health
Are Feds Now More Serious about Prosecuting Fraud?
By R. Lewis Dark, from the Volume XXVI No. 14 – October 14, 2019 issue
IS IT A COINCIDENCE THAT, IN THIS ISSUE OF THE DARK REPORT, we cover two related developments, both involving the federal government’s efforts to control healthcare fraud and abuse?
First, you’ll read about the new federal rule scheduled to take effect on Nov. 4. It gives federal healthcare investigators new powers to exclude individuals and organizations
September 23, 2019 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News
By Robert Michel, from the Volume XXVI No. 13 – September 23, 2019 issue
Spectra Laboratories, a division of the national dialysis company Fresenius Medical Care, will soon open a new 200,000 square foot laboratory facility in Memphis. The new lab will employ more than 300 people and will be located only 15 minutes from the Memphis International Airport and the Memphis world hub operated by FedEx Corporation. The
Lab Monitors Compliance of Chronic Opioid Patients
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 13 – September 23, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: Hospitals and health systems developing programs to manage patients on chronic opioid therapy (COT) are finding that an essential element of these programs is regular toxicology testing. In its role as the toxicology test provider for a health network in Indiana, AIT Laboratories of Denton, Texas, has found that COT patients improved their
Monitoring Patients on Opioids Is Opportunity for Clinical Labs
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 13 – September 23, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: When developing a program to identify and treat patients who misused opioids or needed chronic opioid therapy, Community Health Network (CHN) of Indianapolis recognized that clinical lab toxicology tests were one of the few sources of objective data about patient compliance. When CHN developed its Chronic Opioid Therapy (COT) program, protocols were included that
ASCP, CAP Ask Anthem to Roll Back Price Cuts
By Joseph Burns, from the Volume XXVI No. 13 – September 23, 2019 issue
CEO SUMMARY: One association representing pathologists says new payment rates that Anthem, Inc., is introducing in 14 states do not cover the costs of performing anatomic pathology and clinical lab testing for the tests in question. Another association says the steep payment cuts threaten the viability of small and rural pathology groups. State-by-state, Anthem is
Monitoring Patients on Opioids with Toxicology Screens Is Opportunity for Clinical Labs
By Mary Van Doren, from the Volume XXVI No. 13 – September 23, 2019 issue
This is an excerpt of a 2,883-word article in the Sept. 23, 2019 issue of THE DARK REPORT (TDR). The full article is available to members of The Dark Intelligence Group.
CEO SUMMARY: In this first industry briefing on such a program, THE DARK REPORT explains that Community Health Network (CHN) of Indianapolis recognized that clinical