Developing successful strategic options
With increasing physician alignment, NMG has seen many national laboratories offering our clients partnership models to build win-win situations for both parties in an effort to reduce costs and hold market share. Systems continue to integrate, providing opportunities for hospitals to streamline, consolidate and achieve cost savings. This continued dynamic is favorable for health systems to evaluate a wide array of partnership options which can lower cost and also provide an opening for hospital labs to compete with nationals. NMG has the depth of knowledge to guide this complex strategic planning.
Our team encompasses a broad range of clinical and organizational expertise. Drawing on this resource, NMG provides informed recommendations that will help your organization meet its short, mid- and long-term strategic goals. Since 1988 we have taken part in strategic initiatives at laboratories of all sizes and complexities throughout the United States. We will apply this experience to help your organization identify and develop successful strategies for your market and its particular needs.
Strategic options
As an objective and knowledgeable outside party, NMG will help you set a strategic direction and priorities to achieve your goals. We will guide you through an analysis of options for key revenue-producing diagnostic services. Typically, we explore several options at a high level, followed by a detailed analysis of one or two. High-level options analysis may include:
Optimization Efficiency
Clinical Lab Reviews
Assess & Remediate
Sustainable Improvement
Supply Cost
Reference Lab
Optimization Efficiency
NMG has the tools needed to provide an overall review of your laboratory to determine productivity efficiency and cost reductions while providing you with the best outcomes.
- Productivity of staffing: Develop management reports that review testing by the hour and by individual testing areas which is used to set direction and measure ongoing performance.
- Skill mixing optimization: Assess current state and develop a plan that optimizes the use of hard-to-fill positions and appropriately assigns tasks based on licensure requirements.
- Management of staff oversight structure: Reviews the number of exempt leadership positions and the span of control based on complexity of testing departments. Recommend appropriate management structure and determine saving opportunities.
Clinical Lab Reviews
Evaluate testing menu, methodology and clinical needs of the organization against available technology and its performance. Develops a 5-to-10-year capital plan that utilizes automation while ensuring system-wide standardization is achievable. NMG is available to implement chosen technology using lean workflow design and project management support that is transferred to key individuals who will manage future projects.
- Automation and standardization opportunities
- Workflow re-design using Lean concepts
- Space review and design
Assess & Remediate
NMG has the expertise and resources to build a regulatory program for an organization from the ground up as well as correct any deficiencies identified. Quality management programs, including document control and ongoing quality metrics, can be customized for your organization.
- Preparation for accreditation, including management of document control
- Remediation after an unsuccessful accreditation survey
- Management tools to sustain strong performance and evaluate risks and trends.
Sustainable Improvement
NMG is flexible in our approach to support clients after an initial engagement. NMG takes a mentoring approach to project implementation to allow clients to learn the tools and sustain strong performance long term. Our laboratory consultants are known for their strength in building strong laboratory leaders through advisement and mentorship.
- Project-planning notebook
- Benchmarking subscription services
- Relative value unit subscription service
- Periodic check in with RCM audits
- Contract review with technology upgrades, reference
- Laboratory conversions and business ventures.
Supply Cost
Consolidation and integration models are developed to understand opportunities where supply cost can be leveraged as a system. Partnerships with reference lab partners or other systems within the network are evaluated to leverage volumes and community referrals. Contracts are reviewed and updated to remove costly commitment terms.
- Vendor selection and contract negotiation
- Inventory management, including review of wastage and testing schedules
- Point-of-care testing assessment of performance and outcomes
- Value-based impact through development of ROI models that support the continuum of care for critical areas like sepsis, stroke and readmissions
- Evaluation of blood management programs and recommendations with tools that optimize utilization
Reference Lab
Evaluation of reference laboratory partnership and appropriate test management.
- Optimal test menu development and utilization program implementation
- Reference lab selection and contract negotiations
- IT and value-added service
- Shared services to further optimize partnerships including opportunities for outreach
Whether your issues involve staffing, technology, quality or financial performance, NMG will guide and assist your organization to efficiency and success.
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