October 31, 2023: Automation & Informatics Digital Forum

No More Faxing: Embracing Innovation and Automation to Improve Lab Efficiency 

Time: 11:00 AM ET

This talk will explore the transformative impact of automating manual tasks in laboratory operations, specifically data entry, test ordering, and insurance claim submission. By implementing workflow automation technology, clinical labs can simplify these processes, enhancing accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency. Automation eliminates errors inherent in manual data entry, ensuring precision and compliance with clinical standards. Physician orders are streamlined, reducing turnaround time, expediting communication, and minimizing manual effort. Insurance claim submission is optimized, improving reimbursement rates and reducing denied claim appeals. 

This presentation will highlight how automating manual tasks reshapes laboratory efficiency, generating higher profit margins, improving competitive position, and most importantly—providing accurate clinical data for optimized patient care.

Rightsizing System Instrumentation

Time: 2:00 PM ET

Consolidation of laboratory testing has become commonplace in the healthcare industry. Administrators have come to view decentralized labs as cost centers, an easy target to expel duplication and waste without sacrificing patient care. However, the complete closure of moderately complex labs in the ambulatory setting is short-sighted and can also be wasteful if not done tactfully.

The centralization of laboratory testing services can serve many benefits to the healthcare system as it seeks to create efficiencies and savings. Similarly, retaining some decentralized testing in the ambulatory setting can serve a valuable purpose as well, though typically at a higher cost. It is therefore incumbent upon laboratory leaders to appropriately assess their current laboratory landscape and align it with system-level goals. Labs can then work to “rightsize” their system level instrumentation.

Rightsizing is having the right equipment in the right place at the right time operated by the right personnel with the right test menu. Rightsizing can effectively reduce unnecessary waste and duplication while simultaneously delivering value to patients, providers, and the central laboratory.

After attending this webinar, you will be able to

1. Understand current trends in the diagnostic laboratory industry
2. Define “rightsizing” for laboratory operations
3. Understand the advantages and disadvantages of lab consolidation
4. Understand how to effectively "rightsize" system instrumentation

Melody Boudreaux Nelson, DCLS, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a principal clinical laboratory scientist at The University of Kansas Health System with leadership experience in operations and informatics. She is a graduate of RUSH University’s Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Management program and completed her DCLS residency at the University of Kansas Health System. Dr. Nelson is an advocate for the clinical laboratory’s role in ethical implementation of artificial intelligence within health care and laboratory expertise accessibility for multidisciplinary teams.

Tyler Radke, MLS(ASCP)^CM, is from Green Bay, WI, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2012 with a bachelor’s in medical technology. He is an ASCP-certified medical laboratory scientist and worked at Froedtert St. Joseph’s Hospital in West Bend before relocating back to Green Bay as the technical lead of microbiology at Bellin Health. In 2017, he became the laboratory manager at Bellin Memorial Hospital and Bellin Health Oconto Hospital in Wisconsin. He is also a member of the laboratory technical advisory group (LabTAG) for the Wisconsin Clinical Laboratories Network (WCLN), serving as the representative for Region 7.

Gregory is a serial entrepreneur and healthcare regulation expert, with more than 30 years’ experience in corporate, non-profit, and local, state, and federal governments. He brings diverse experience and a vast network of industry expertise to his role at Shadowbox.