Help Prevent Quality Losses

• May 2019
• Claude G. Sawney, MS, MLS(ASCP)

Q&A with Claude G. Sawney, MS, MLS(ASCP)Quality ManagerSonic Reference LaboratoryAustin, Texas   Medical Lab Management: How important is it to quantitatively and qualitatively measure incurred or prevented losses due to poor quality in the clinical laboratory? Claude Sawney: I think that laboratories must first understand the fundamental elements of Cost of Quality and Cost of... Read more

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Buyer’s Guide: Mobile Blood Analyzers

• May 2019

The epoc Blood Analysis System from Siemens Healthineers is a handheld, wireless solution that enables comprehensive blood analysis testing at the patient’s side on a single, room-temperature test card. Providing results in less than one minute, the epoc system can accelerate clinical decision making with customized critical ranges and fast, wireless transmission of patient results, which are... Read more

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Modern Microbiology: Laboratory Planning and Design

• May 2019
• Theodore R. Newell, AIA, NCARB, AABB
• Donna M. Wolk, MHA, PhD, D(ABMM)

For many years, automation in the clinical microbiology laboratory has lagged behind other laboratory disciplines. Automation has revolutionized the clinical core laboratory, including chemistry, hematology, coagulation, and immunology, with testing instruments connected to tracks and routing conveyors, all managed in precise detail by computer. In contrast, many microbiologists continue to open... Read more

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Federal Fraud Regulations for Laboratory Outreach

• May 2019
• Michael J. Hiltunen, MBA, MT(ASCP), CLC(AMT)

Most clinical laboratory outreach programs follow a conservative approach regarding compliance with federal fraud and abuse regulations, particularly the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) and Stark Law (see SIDEBAR). Given the consequences of breaching these regulations, establishing a robust compliance program can mitigate much of the potential risk associated with outreach sales and marketing activities. A... Read more

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Bringing Your Lab to the Operating Room

• April 2019
• Joe El-Khoury, PhD, DABCC, FAACC

In this era of lower reimbursements, workforce shortages, and laboratory test consolidation, radical changes to a laboratory operation may seem outrageous. For example, consider having a discussion with laboratory and facilities leadership about opening a small lab operation adjacent to the operating room suite (OR) that runs a single test to meet the needs of a few endocrine surgeons. To some,... Read more

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