The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Improving Efficiency in the Clinical Laboratory. F.L. Kiechle and R.I. Main. Washington, DC: AACC Press, 2002, 142 pp., $25.00 ($20.00 AACC members), softcover. ISBN 1-890883-72-7.

Abstract

This is a well-written text that provides the reader with insight on how to deal with changes in the hospital laboratory. The primary focus of the text is to offer recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of the laboratory. The first chapter, entitled “So-Here We Are!”, describes two major challenges for the laboratory in the current healthcare environment: decreased reimbursement and personnel availability. Using an historical approach, the authors describe the evolution of reimbursement and the impact of managed care. In addition, the chapter presents 22 years of inpatient testing volume data with occupancy rate, length of stay, total number of inpatient discharges, and laboratory tests per discharges from the department of clinical pathology at William Beaumont Hospital to demonstrate the impact of managed care on these variables. The authors approach the personnel availability issue by describing the many reasons for its decline (e.g., job satisfaction and program closures) as well as suggestions for potential solutions. I found it remarkable that the authors had provided me with a good understanding of the topics in just 5 pages. This …