`
`
`
`TUGH
`
`face
`
`(MIMI—a);
`pracfic‘e,
`
`A1 Maya
`is
`we face these. issues
`we’ve
`
`you
`
`
`
`Current healtheare improvement initiatives require communities to
`effectively manage the care of their patients. Major changes in healthca re
`delivery are imminent. We are all challenged to improve quality, decrease
`waste and lower the overall cost of medical care.
`
`Quickly becoming the model of reform, integrated community care
`systems provide an effective, efficient answer to today’s challenges.
`Integrated patient care services are delivered by teams of conununity
`healthcare professionals Because the laboratory is key in the episode of
`Care, improvements in service and cost savings afforded tlu‘ough
`
`How can my laboratory effectively meet the
`challenges of a reformed healthcare delivery system?
`
`lower Hie overall cost ofcnre.
`
`More than ever before, providers
`are challenged to prove that the
`high quality sender's they provide
`
`
`
`integration have a strong impact on the successful
`implementation of community care.
`
`Integrated laboratory medicine can optimize
`community patient care because laboratorians help
`providers solve problems. make diagnoses and reduce
`inappropriate testing. Service improvements and cost
`savings also result.
`
`Since 1971, Mayo Medical Laboratories has supported
`community laboratory care. By offering only those
`tests that are difficult to perform locally or are
`infrequently ordered, MML’s test menu complements
`the commimity laboratory test repertoire.
`
`An inquiry management system developed by MML
`to support connnrmity laboratorians helps answer
`difficult testing and patient care questions.
`
`However, the importance of laboratorians to the
`patient's episode of care has sometimes been
`inaccurately viewed as one of simply producing test
`results. In recent years particularly, low cost has often
`been mistakenly more valued than judgment and
`overall effectiveness. As a result, many tests have
`been sent outside the community to obtain low prices.
`important patient-ca re services have been lost.
`
`
`
`Tests sent outside the community may appear
`to cost less; however, significant downstream
`costs can result. These include
`
`increased unit costs and inefficient use of staff due to excess lab capacity.
`
`longer inpatient stays because of increased test turnaround time.
`
`reduced accountability for community healthcare costs.
`
`duplicated tests when results are not shared.
`
`unnecessary office visits resulting from delayed test results.
`
`
`
`With diminishing resources, how can I expand
`my laboratory services to the community?
`
`Laboratory outreach offers a way to recapture outpatient test voltune.
`It also increases service levels, provides measru'able value, selective test
`use, improved patient satisfaction and lower overall costs. These are
`benefits that the new payers for healthcare, namely employers and
`managed—care organizations, are looking for. Efficiencies can result for
`both the laboratory and the community.
`
`In addition, even greater efficiencies can be achieved if you join with other
`area laboratories to form a laboratory network.
`
`Expanding your laboratory services to more effectively meet the needs of
`community providers is more important than ever. Reduced test
`utilization and restricted reimbursement have appropriately lowered
`inpatient test volumes. Without an increase in outpatient volume, your
`laboratory fixed costs must be spread over fewer tests Test volume sent
`out of the community represents an opportunity to increase volume in
`your laboratory.
`
`f’hyinrlnn ()l'lisi-
`
`Group Matinee
`
`Cortimunfiy Laboratory
`
`Expanding laboratory services
`within the community is an
`important way to implement
`coordinated community care.
`
`
`
`
`
`Pe1f0mting more tests in the
`community will
`
`' lower fixed costs per test.
`
`0 eliminate excess capacity.
`
`I support test menus responsive to community providers.
`
`provide faster turnaround times that eliminate repeat office visits
`and decrease expensive hospital stays.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`minimize test duplication through improved continuity of care.
`
`lower overall costs per episode of care.
`
`We know that developing an effective outreach program is challenging
`because Mayo Medical Laboratories has provided outreach laboratory
`services for over 20 years. Our experiences led us to develop outreach
`support tools that improve your opportunities for success. These services
`will reduce your financial start-up risk, improve your market exposure
`and enhance your level of service. Strategic planning, a joint test catalog,
`joint marketing, and courier and client service development are just of a
`few of the outreach support servrces available to you from MML.
`
`
`
`Community laboratory network
`benefits include
`
`0 economies of scale and service when testing is consolidated at
`specific labs.
`
`0 shared resources such as billing, client services, marketing and
`technical consultation.
`
`0 improved continuity of care through electronic sharing of
`laboratory data among community providers.
`
`Outreach support scmices
`developed by MML help reduce the
`financial start-up risk of a
`iabora tory outreach program.
`
`
`
`How does commun ty care benefit patients?
`
`The improved mmnnmicufimr
`rtfj‘er‘ded through integrated care
`helps providers: solve patient
`
`When your laboratory services are integrated throughout the. community,
`patients benefit in many ways. Test duplication, unnecessary office visits
`and interruptions in patient care are eliminated because important patient
`information is shared among providers.
`In addition, providers work
`together to improve resource utilization, test use and clinical utility which
`enhance the community delivery system. All of these factors improve
`patient—care services while controlling the overall cost of cure.
`
`(are questions.
`
`
`
`Your community delivery system also promotes improved
`communication between providers on patient care. We’ve seen the
`benefit of team communication in our own practice. Mayo laboratorians,
`working closely with patient care providers, develop services which
`improve care and keep costs affordable for our patients. Such
`communication between providers will help you develop laboratory
`services that specifically meet the needs of your community.
`
`on difficult patient cases.
`
`The physicians and scientists
`of Mayo Medical Laboratories
`are ready to consult with
`community care providers
`
`
`
`We work together with community laboratorians to decrease
`inappropriate testing by offering only the most clinically useful esoteric
`testing services. Fail-safe operations and frequent test set—up are in place
`to ensure patients fast and accurate results. In addition, services such as
`consultation with Mayo staff, an inquiry management software system
`and comprehensive continuing education are in place to answer
`difficult patient questions.
`
`
`
`care benefits:
`
`clinically relevant testing strategies based on test menus specific
`to your community.
`
`improved test utilization resulting from standardized
`conununity ordering practices.
`
`reliable result interpretation when consistent normal values are
`used throughout the community.
`
`fast turnaround times of STAT tests for both inpatients and
`outpatients.
`
`consultation on unexpected or confusing test results.
`
`more efficient resource utilization when laboratorians educate
`
`providers on clinically relevant testing modalities.
`
`
`
`
`
`01.2.
`
`PROGRESS IN
`
`20m CENTURY
`
`18- SYSTEM AND
`
`ORGANIZAIION-
`
`IN- OTHER» WORDS,
`
`1W0, ".”
`
`— Charles H. Milyo,
`
`The Examination, Pmparatian
`
`Patiqntsr
`and Care of
`Lancet, 36:14,
`
`' January 1, 191.6
`
`
`
`Laboratories is mady to assist you in expanding
`cormrmm'ty laboratory services. We look forward
`
`TOUGH QUESTIONS will continue to
`challenge your laboratory practice. Mayo Medical
`
`to talking with you further.
`
`
`
`MC 1195
`
`200
`SheetSMl.
`Rochesten Minnesota 55905
`
`mm“?
`
`
