Lab Executive War College to Focus on Molecular Diagnostics, Management Issues

Molecular testing is touted as the future of clinical laboratories. Innovative laboratories are already bridging the gap between the vision and the application of these tests as they develop viable strategies for reimbursement, qualified personnel and testing equipment.

These ground-breaking developments in molecular diagnostics and quality management practices will be the focus at this year’s Executive War College on Laboratory and Pathology Management. Scheduled for April 27 and 28 at the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel, this annual meeting attracts senior leaders from the most innovative clinical laboratories across the country who come to share their experience and insights on laboratory medicine and management.

The impact of Six Sigma and Lean quality methods is also on the EWC agenda. These methods are improving patient safety and outcomes for laboratories. For example, one lab that implemented Six Sigma methods cut its errors and turnaround time in half, while boosting productivity by 60 percent.

Compliance with Medicare fraud and abuse guidelines is a critical success factor for every laboratory and also an EWC focus this year. The competing concerns of Medicare compliance and market competition have many laboratory managers wondering if following a conservative compliance policy really is their best course of action. A former federal government official will explain how lab managers can maintain both compliance and competitiveness.

“Lab test results, which make up 90 percent of any patient file, are the building blocks of the electronic patient record. That role will continue to expand as more and more laboratories adopt molecular-based testing methods,” said Robert Michel, director of the Executive War College and editor-in-chief of The Dark Report, which hosts the conference. “Laboratory testing — a $36 billion industry in the U.S. — is this country’s last great healthcare bargain.”

The Dark Report is a periodic intelligence report founded and published by R. Lewis Dark. The publication reports news about the latest facts and trends that affect medical laboratories. The Dark Group Inc., and The Dark Report Intelligence Service provide intelligence and strategic market analysis exclusively to senior laboratory executives, pathologists and investment professionals.

The ninth annual War College will feature more than 40 educational sessions encompassing all aspects of clinical lab activities. Top executives from the world’s most progressive and innovative laboratories will lead the sessions and share their experiences from the front lines of laboratory innovation.

Among educational presentations at this year’s EWC:

— James D. Cross, M.D., corporate medical director of Aetna, will present, “Investing in Testing: How New Molecular-based Assays are Evaluated for Coverage and Reimbursement Decisions.” As new molecular tests come to market, labs need to understand how health plans make decisions to accept tests for coverage and establish reimbursement.

— Kevin McAnaney, Esq., chief of the industry guidance branch of the OIG (Office of Investigator General) from its creation in 1997 to May 2003, will present, “Understanding the OIG: Insights and Advice on How Labs Can Cope With Aggressive Compliance Practices in the Competitive Lab Services Marketplace.”

— Leo Serrano, executive director of laboratory services at West Tennessee Healthcare, will present his case study, “Confessions of a Sinner: I Automated Bad Work Processes in My Core Laboratory.” Construction of Serrano’s new, fully automated core laboratory was followed months later by a comprehensive “lean” quality methods makeover that delivered a further reduction in turnaround time of 42 percent. In addition, labor inputs were slashed by 35 percent, and the lab’s footprint shrank by one-third.

The Executive War College on Lab and Pathology Management kicks off Tuesday, April 27 at the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel with a pre-conference registration and get-acquainted reception. The conference ends with an optional third-day series of sessions on Molecular Diagnostics and Laboratory Leaders. The focus in those intensive sessions will be on technology trends, regulatory issues and reimbursement.

“Industry leaders, who consistently strive to keep their lab or pathology practice on the cutting edge of business and technology trends, know that the War College is the one must-attend lab meeting of the year,” Michel said. “It has become the authoritative source for learning about what works, and what doesn’t, in lab management.”

For information on the Executive War College on Lab and Pathology Management, call 800-560-6363 or access www.darkreport.com .