Release Date: Jun 2019
CC: PC, ICS, SBP
Karen K. Mortland, RA, MT(ASCP)
President, Mortland Planning & Design, Inc., Chicora, PA
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Review and learn from problems and solutions that have arisen out of other laboratories that have had to move all or part of their labs to an off-site location.
- Address the importance of flexibility, an open mind, and looking at the big picture for the overall facility before coming to a conclusion.
- Identify issues that can affect your laboratory operation, costs, medical interactions, staffing and TAT.
Who should attend? Practicing Pathologists, Pathologists’ Assistants, Laboratory Managers, Bench Supervisors, Bench Technologists & Technicians, Cytotechnologists, Histotechnologists
Description:
As “patient-visible” departments expand and construction becomes more expensive, more and more laboratories are asked to consider moving to locations away from the core of the hospital facility. Issues of specimen transport, medical interaction, staffing needs and supervision, and stat procedures become paramount in making this difficult decision. How far away is the site? Can it be linked by pneumatic tube? How will we address Blood Bank, Frozen Sections, Fine Needle Aspirates, Phlebotomy, and all the other stat tests? The list goes on and on. This alternate site, however, may offer items like windows, more space, parking, and lower construction costs. The bottom line is that there is a myriad of problems and benefits to weigh when making the choice.
Utilizing experiences from many laboratories, with various scenarios for off-site locations and arrangements, the presenter will highlight the pros and cons of this emerging trend.