​Measuring Value Initiative
The Coordinating Council for the Clinical Laboratory Workforce (CCCLW) currently is a coalition of 12 laboratory organizations spanning the breadth of the field. Its primary mission is to increase the number of qualified clinical laboratory professionals.
CCCLW’s ability to fulfill its mission is being adversely impacted by the profession’s lack of visibility and by an almost singular focus on reducing laboratory costs. The cost perspective is itself both puzzling and vexing. Laboratory medicine represents less than 3% of the national health expenditure. Making substantial cuts in expenses will make very little difference to the cost of healthcare. Yet the inappropriate ordering of tests, and the misapplication of test results, can have a dramatic downstream impact on patient outcomes and health system expenses.
It is this assertion that is intuitive yet largely unmeasured and unproven. Identifying measures of value that laboratory medicine contributes or could contribute through its professionals and its technology is important in resource allocation and activity prioritization decisions. Data collected from appropriately validated measures is anticipated to generate insights that will guide development of a balanced approach to the twin needs of operational efficiency, i.e. productivity and defect reduction, with clinical effectiveness, i.e. improved patient and system outcomes.
The CCCLW has commissioned the Taskforce to Measure Testing-related Value (TMTV), chaired by Paul Epner, to develop a framework as well as specific measures that can be tested and validated. The effort is following a multi-step process.
The progress of the taskforce is reflected in the work products produced so far accessible through the following links:
CCCLW’s ability to fulfill its mission is being adversely impacted by the profession’s lack of visibility and by an almost singular focus on reducing laboratory costs. The cost perspective is itself both puzzling and vexing. Laboratory medicine represents less than 3% of the national health expenditure. Making substantial cuts in expenses will make very little difference to the cost of healthcare. Yet the inappropriate ordering of tests, and the misapplication of test results, can have a dramatic downstream impact on patient outcomes and health system expenses.
It is this assertion that is intuitive yet largely unmeasured and unproven. Identifying measures of value that laboratory medicine contributes or could contribute through its professionals and its technology is important in resource allocation and activity prioritization decisions. Data collected from appropriately validated measures is anticipated to generate insights that will guide development of a balanced approach to the twin needs of operational efficiency, i.e. productivity and defect reduction, with clinical effectiveness, i.e. improved patient and system outcomes.
The CCCLW has commissioned the Taskforce to Measure Testing-related Value (TMTV), chaired by Paul Epner, to develop a framework as well as specific measures that can be tested and validated. The effort is following a multi-step process.
- Empanel a subcommittee to conduct a literature search on the topic. This work has been completed.
- Deploy a survey to the field seeking utilized approaches to improving clinical effectiveness and measuring impact. That survey is deployed with nearly 500 respondents as of this date.
- Convene an expert panel of individuals from within the laboratory community supplemented by measurement and policy experts from outside of laboratory medicine. The panel will utilize the report of the literature search committee, the results of the survey, other available information as well as their own experience and knowledge to develop the measurement framework, initial consensus outcome measures, and a plan to validate the measures.
- Following the conclusion of the expert panel meeting, empanel a new subcommittee charged with beginning the process of validating the measures.
The progress of the taskforce is reflected in the work products produced so far accessible through the following links:
Testing.com
WHAT DOES MY LABORAOTRY TEST MEAN???
Testing.com (formally Lab Tests on Line) is an award-winning health information web resource designed to help patients and healthcare professionals
understand the many lab tests that are a vital part of medical care. Since its launch in 2001, It has helped millions of users to learn about their tests and navigate this confusing landscape by providing non-biased and thorough explanations of tests available, as well as reviews on emerging testing brands.
WHAT DOES MY LABORAOTRY TEST MEAN???
Testing.com (formally Lab Tests on Line) is an award-winning health information web resource designed to help patients and healthcare professionals
understand the many lab tests that are a vital part of medical care. Since its launch in 2001, It has helped millions of users to learn about their tests and navigate this confusing landscape by providing non-biased and thorough explanations of tests available, as well as reviews on emerging testing brands.