Connect Sign InLaboratory Stewardship Practices
Laboratory stewardship is often already happening in community hospitals—but without shared language or structure. This session provides a practical, operations focused overview of laboratory stewardship, grounded in real world challenges such as specialized send out testing, genetic test denials, repeat testing, and PCR panel utilization. Participants will learn how stewardship can be implemented in a way that supports clinicians, reduces downstream rework, and improves clarity and consistency—without adding unnecessary bureaucracy or requiring sophisticated analytics.
Tony Smith began his healthcare career as a laboratory assistant at Gundersen Health System in Wisconsin, working in pediatric and adult urgent care, inpatient care, and the emergency room while earning his associate in applied science degree as a medical laboratory technician (MLT). He then expanded his knowledge of transfusion medicine and cellular therapeutics at Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Minnesota before finding his way to Denver, Colorado. During his 16 years at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Tony’s interest in pediatrics grew as he took on roles in pre-analytic and technical lab operations, laboratory stewardship, and revenue cycle management. Tony later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in healthcare administration from Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado, and is also a certified lean six sigma black belt. He has been a senior healthcare consultant with ARUP’s Healthcare Advisory Services team since 2021.
