How an integrated diagnostics model helps patients and physicians
Diagnostic accuracy is essential for patients and physicians during treatment. Laboratories are on the front lines of diagnostics and are uniquely situated to make improvements to this process. As a result, labs can increase positive outcomes for patients and streamline workflow for physicians.
The current diagnostics model is fragmented and transaction-centric. Labs are interfacing with multiple physicians and care centers; patients receive information (sometimes of conflicting nature) from many different providers. The process can be confusing for patients, frustrating for physicians, and highly inefficient for laboratory professionals.
An improved clinical diagnostics model—one that is integrated and patient-centric— enhances population health and continuous clinical improvement, coordinating medical data from providers and transforming it into functional knowledge. In this new model, labs have the ability to streamline information and to optimize utilization, resulting in significant cost-savings.
Healthcare Incentives Improvement Institute cost savings for a hypothetical 300 bed hospital have been estimated to be over $1 million/year, represented by $100,000 per year in direct lab costs, and $900,000 per year in costs outside the lab. Conversely, estimated patient cost savings when reducing underutilization in a 300-bed hospital could likely save over $5 million per year based on a study that leveraged the Prometheus Payment Model and estimates of adverse events directly related to the Dx process.
When utilization is optimized, patient care improves. It translates to more accurate diagnoses and faster treatment initiation, and there are fewer readmissions and complications. Improving episodes of care also means avoiding discharge delays, as well as fewer unnecessary diagnostic expenses and patient visits.
Across the continuum of community-based care, opportunities for enhancement exist. Change relies on implementing an integrated, patient-centric diagnostics model with the lab at the forefront.
