Clinical Laboratory Workflow: The Impact of the "3 Rs"

Clinical laboratories are under increasing pressure from three sources: reimbursement, regulatory, and resource. Reimbursement is the most pressing issue for many labs: whether in a fully-bundled, capitated environment or in a fee-for-service setting, laboratories are being asked to decrease their operating expenses. Key to doing so is understanding the relative contributions of labor and consumables. Laboratory-developed tests are particularly labor-intense, with labor accounting for over 70% in many instances.  Increasingly rigorous regulatory requirements are another concern, particularly in geographies where laboratory-developed tests are under scrutiny.  Meeting regulatory requirements will place demands on both time and expertise. Resource, specifically human resource, is the third challenge for clinical laboratories. The medical technologist labor pool is simultaneously shrinking and aging, and competition for this increasingly scarce resource contributes to the overall cost of laboratory operation. Training, particularly in laboratories that perform high complexity, laboratory-developed tests, is an additional cost that affects both bottom line and productivity.
 
In this webinar we will:

• Describe the three sources of pressure, their underlying drivers, and the ways in which they’re interconnected
• Discuss the “8 Wastes” in the context of the laboratory
• Provide tips for assessing impact of waste
• Show examples of streamlined workflows that emphasize both efficiency and quality patient care