NEMG and Clinical Redesign partner to improve ambulatory lab ordering
Jennifer Johnson, APRN, consultant, Clinical Redesign (far left) and Scott Duncan, ITS Ambulatory (far right) stand with members from the recently-visited NEMG Internal Medicine - East Haven (l-r): Sandra Falanga, PSA II; Lauren Cicarelli, LPN; David Riccio, MD; Renee Acabbo, supervisor; and Wendy Chase, MA
Earlier this summer, NEMG and Clinical Redesign formed their first official partnership to improve ambulatory lab ordering. The project focuses on improving patient care and alleviating ordering issues, particularly with labs not straightforward to order, such as HSV and C. diff.
The team, facilitated by Jennifer Johnson, APRN, Clinical Redesign, and composed of NEMG representatives Richard Goldstein, MD, vice president, chief medical officer, NEMG; Karen Brown, MD; Brian Williams, MD; Robert McLean, MD; and Michael Connolly, MD, is working closely with experts from Microbiology, Pathology, Information Technology Services, Quest Diagnostics and YNHHS Laboratory Medicine to make it easier to order the right test. Clinical Redesign visited several ambulatory primary care and specialty offices to better understand the scope of the problem.
Specific interventions included clearly identifying the preferred test; using synonyms to make finding the test easier; standardizing Quest and YNHH tests; and ensuring the right tests are on department preference lists. Changes will go live in October. In addition, NEMG representatives will join the YNHHS Lab Formulary Committee for ongoing lab improvements.
