Preserving the Economic Viability of the Vascular Laboratory

1
Preserving the Economic Viability of the Vascular
Laboratory

• Will vascular software and automation save your
  lab?

John D. Martin, MD, FACS, RVT Director, Vascular
Center Anne Arundel Medical Center Annapolis,
Maryland
2
Vascular Lab Mission
Report Generation
AAMC
3
Financial Facts

• Average cost/study 180
• Average reimbursement/study 150
• Reimbursement by study is fixed
• Machine and personnel costs are increasing
• Many labs are not profitable

AAMC
4
Keys to Success

• Optimize efficiency
• Maximize reimbursement
• Increase volume
• Computer automation

AAMC
5
Performance Enhancement
Must focus on both arms of the Lab
6
Technical Issues

• Study type
• Pathology and body habitus of patient
• Experience and skill of technologist
• Age and sophistication of equipment
• Patient visit process

AAMC
7
Technical PerformanceEfficiency Program

• Record study time for each patient
• Record accuracy
• Analysis of data by study type and technologist
• Design training program to improve performance
• Monitor improvement

AAMC
8
Study Duration
9
The administrative burden on the lab is almost
overwhelming
AAMC
10
Administrative RequirementsReport Generation

• Insurance information
• Report generation
• demographics
• history and indications
• results and interpretation
• retrospective comparisons
• recommendations
• Billing for study

AAMC
11
Administrative RequirementsReport Generation
12
Administrative Requirements Ancillary Functions

• Mail study results
• Appointments
• New, follow-up, missed
• Quality assurance data
• Accreditation information
• Equipment maintenance records

AAMC
13
Increasing Volume

• Lab-based follow-up
• Marketing
• Education
• Referral Pattern Analysis

14
Lab-Based Follow-up Program

• Facilitates compliance
• Improves clinical care
• Bypass graft surveillance
• AAA surveillance
• Carotid stenosis surveillance
• Increases laboratory volume
• Automation essential

AAMC
15
Referral Pattern Analysis

• Increases volume
• Facilitates directed marketing
• Improves communication
• Effective educational tool

AAMC
16
Top Referring Physicians
17
Study Type by Physician
18
Indication Frequency by Physician
19
Best Value In America
2.19
20
Package It Better
5.95
21
Improve the Delivery
11.95
22
Conclusions

• Success is predicated on understanding the
  financial as well as the clinical aspects of the
  lab
• The vascular lab is a business and should be run
  like one
• Efficiency and accuracy are not mutually
  exclusive and can always be improved
• Automation..Automation.Automation

23
Anne Arundel Medical Center
Vascular Office
AAMC