Lab HOT Shots: December 2010

Lab predictions from MLO’s experts

MLO’s board members offer their insights on anticipated issues for clinical labs in 2011. Their hot topics include: information software, training and education, regulations, government healthcare reform and EHR. See if you agree.

Prediction # 1.“I think we will see continued emphasis on information management, automation and consolidation. This is intended to improve productivity and utilization, and reduce errors and occupational injuries and will be accompanied by increased government regulation.” —Leland B. Baskin, MD, F(CAP), Division Head, General Laboratory, Calgary Laboratory Services, Calgary, AB, Canada, and member of MLO's Editorial Advisory Board.________________________________________

Prediction # 2.“Due to its convenience and cost effectiveness, lab-related continuing education delivered via the Internet will play an increasing role in staff development as laboratories look for ways to continually educate their staff without incurring travel expenses. In addition, with up to 75% of laboratory errors occurring during the preanalytic/pre-examination phase of testing, establishing and evaluating preanalytical benchmarks will remain crucial to laboratory quality-improvement processes.” —Dennis Ernst, MT(ASCP), Director, Center for Phlebotomy Education, Corydon, IN, and member of MLO's Editorial Advisory Board.________________________________________

Prediction # 3.“2011 will see a continuation of a trend started in 2010 whereby regulatory agencies will take a more active role to ensure that laboratory diagnostics are safe and effective for patient care. The FDA will begin regulating laboratory-developed tests and also will review new in vitro diagnostic tests with much closer scrutiny than in past years. Clinical laboratories will be asked to provide the FDA and other government agencies with more examples of harmful events resulting from defective or ineffective laboratory tests; with the end result being more pressure on the manufacturers of these tests to prove safety and effectiveness. More advisory notices will be issued by the FDA which will mean all of us will need to stay on guard to determine whether we may be offering tests with a potential for adverse events or outcomes. — creating new jobs and expanding career possibilities. But, really, daily life will not change much.” — Brad Karon, MD, PhD________________________________________

Prediction # 4.“Consolidation and increased regulation will be the key features for the laboratory in 2011. The number of baccalaureate-degree programs to prepare lab professionals will most likely be stable but continued funding pressures in academe pose a real risk for traditional degree programs. Innovative degree programs that have online components and offer a means of sharing faculty presentations among multiple institutions will continue to attract attention. Curriculum content while still grounded in the hard sciences will continue to evolve to emphasize leadership skills and savvy in dealing with others in team building. These are skills that even the new professional will be expected to bring to the lab along with strength in clinical science core competencies.” —Sharon M. Miller, PhC, MT(ASCP), CLS(NCA), Professor Emeritus, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, and member of MLO's Editorial Advisory Board.________________________________________

Prediction # 5.“The future for medical laboratories most certainly holds uncertainty. With sweeping changes on the horizon due to healthcare reform and governmental scrutiny over laboratory-developed tests, a shift in test menus may occur as well as the testing sites. Buzz words and issues to watch include: Accountable Care Organization (ACO); physician signatures on requisitions; patient-centered medical home; and meaningful use of electronic health records. New molecular tests will continue to be coupled with drugs. Public awareness of the medical laboratory scientists’ role in healthcare will be highlighted by laboratory associations.” —C. Anne Pontius, MBA, CMPE, MT(ASCP), Senior Medical Practice Consultant, State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company, Brentwood, TN, and member of MLO's Editorial Advisory Board.________________________________________