ADVANCE for Executive Insight 1 ADVANCE for Executive Insight

Secondly, on the discharge side, a battery of tests can be run following
treatment to determine whether they really should be discharged.
The laboratory is in a strong position to support the key
strategy of lower re-admission rates for aspiring ACOs.
Pharmacy
In certain cases, that are only set to increase, laboratory data from
molecular and related testing can guide the appropriate choice of
medication to prescribe and administer to the patient. Perhaps the
biggest challenge, and opportunity, in an ACO environment, is the
ability of the health system to stitch together disparate data sets,
ensure standardization, and then share that data with all interested
parties. However, assuming this interoperability challenge can be
overcome, the potential impact on bringing down the massive costs
relating to wrongly prescribed medicine could be significant, and
the laboratory extends its reach on behalf of the ACO even further.
Summary
The potential for the lab to become a vital strategic asset to an ACO
is clear and required. Its immediate impact could be in physician ordering
practices, re-admission and discharge control, or supporting
best pharmaceutical practices to reduce prescription costs. We are
already seeing early examples of some success in these areas.
However, as much as the potential is clear, the need for a cultural
shift is also clear. The laboratory cannot become a data enabler in a
meaningful way for the ACO unless it becomes a data partner with all
of the other relevant and willing moving parts. This includes the physicians,
the pathologists, the hospital administration and of course
the patients. Assuming that coordination is well managed and committed
to by all, the laboratory will truly drive the positive impact that
ACO-led coordinated care was intended to provide.
Reference
See: http://www.ascp.org/Newsroom/ASCP-Joins-Campaign-to-Improve-Use-of-
Medical-Tests.html; other examples include: http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/articles/administrator-tools/index.html
http://www.aruplab.com/UtilizationManagement/ARUPATOP/index.jsp
On the Web
For additional, timely ACO content, visit our ACO Resource
Center at www.advanceweb.com/executiveinsightaco
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