Valuing the Hospital Laboratory: Making the Case for “Make” (versus “Buy”)

 

Because of the ongoing influences of reimbursement declines, budgetary pressures, staffing shortages, regulatory challenges, and more, hospital laboratories are at increased risk for becoming a "commodity" in the eyes of C-Suite members. Some hospital executives even question whether the laboratory is part of the hospital's core business, and have sold or are considering selling its hospital laboratory operation to an outside commercial entity. This presentation will examine these influences, debunk the myths, and provide attendees with strong supporting evidence for maintaining and expanding the role of the hospital laboratory in the local delivery of healthcare.

Originally published on December 9, 2020

Lecture Presenter

Robert B. Carpenter, MS, MT(ASCP)

Robert B. Carpenter, MS, MT(ASCP)

Senior Healthcare Consultant, Consultative Services
ARUP Laboratories

Robert B. Carpenter is a senior health consultant at ARUP Laboratories. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in economics before receiving a master’s degree in laboratory management from Brigham Young University. Robert has also completed a medical technology internship with the Carle Foundation School of Medical Technology. He is certified as a medical technologist by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, and he is a member of the Clinical Laboratory Management Association. His research areas of focus include laboratory stewardship, pediatric hospital laboratory medicine, laboratory outreach, and laboratory networking, as well as technical operations assessment and quality improvement. He was the PLUGS Member of the Year in 2015.

Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

  • Identify why some hospital executives view their laboratory, largely, as a commodity
  • Describe proven strategies that will establish the intrinsic and expanding value of the hospital laboratory
  • Create a plan to leverage this value for the overall improvement of patient care and for the overall success of the hospital

Sponsored by:

University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, and ARUP Laboratories