[Histonet] Pa Leeeze

Tue Nov 20 16:34:03 CST 2012

There could be some positives- thanks for reminding us!  This has been "coming down the pike" for awhile. I think that those who have been watching the "horizon" and looking ahead saw this change and many more to come. If you have been working on yourself, building your skills and knowledge, and also within your lab for awhile to work smarter and leaner, you will be prepared,-even if you still have to continue to step it up.  Those who have been "sleeping at the wheel" may suffer some. But I think someone said this eariler, what we had been doing overall in healthcare could not be sustained, it was a system that was bound to flux. Politics probably have played a part in specific events, as so often is the case. But changes were coming regardless, so we might as well use our wits to work with it.  Going into panic mode certainly won't help, well said by all. I will be curious to see how it plays out. I feel prepared to do what is needed. I agree getting involved in the process, and keeping a nimble mindset is a good start. 

Joelle Weaver MAOM, HTL (ASCP) QIHC
 > Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2012 13:03:14 -0800
> From: pathlocums <@t> gmail.com
> To: billodonnell <@t> catholichealth.net
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze
> CC: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; BGapinski <@t> pathgroup.com
> 
> Well put. I do think too many are panic stricken over losing a job. The
> work will still be there, but it might be at a different location.
> Physicians are not going to stop doing biopsies because the pay has been
> cut to the lab. The only thing that may cost a few jobs is if
> over-utilization is curbed. However, in my opinion that is not a large
> enough number to cause widespread panic among lab employees.
> 
> If POL's begin closing, the work will return elsewhere. Those techs are
> free to apply for those jobs, and there will likely be a new job elsewhere
> for every one cut at your current practice.
> 
> In my personal opinion, I think PA's should be far more concerned than
> techs. We could see a surge in the number of "grossing techs" out there,
> and a decline in the use of NAACLS trained PA's where the biopsy rate is
> high. So for all those techs that are worried, think positively - you may
> just experience a surge in job opportunities, and jobs with more attractive
> shifts.
> 
> David
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Tue, Nov 20, 2012 at 12:25 PM, O'Donnell, Bill <
> billodonnell <@t> catholichealth.net> wrote:
> 
> > Like it or not, politics played a part in the cut of 88305. So did POLs,
> > CAP and a host of other factors. Finger pointing in time of uncertainty
> > somehow makes us all feel better, but  it doesn't give us concrete ways
> > of addressing the problem. Histology has enjoyed a fairly long period of
> > great reimbursement, reasonable per-test costs, and a certain amount of
> > security in that what we do is unique.
> >
> > That is all changing, but was likely to change at least some no matter
> > who was elected to do whatever. Remember the panic when DRG's first
> > arrived?
> >
> > There is no doubt that labs are going to have to get leaner, but this
> > was already a trend. Find reasonable ways to cut costs. I know. We've
> > been doing this for years.... But it needs to go further.
> >
> > Some people will lose their jobs. I may well be one of them and I don't
> > like it, but it is a reality. If I go down, it will not be for lack of
> > trying to maintain.
> >
> > 88305 cuts are big but there are a lot of clinical services getting cuts
> > as well. Hospitals need to do what they can to keep the doors open for
> > the benefit of the patient. Pay cuts, bonuses+/-, benefits, hiring
> > freezes, capital freezes are all looming on the horizon. If at all
> > possible, fight them, but do not exhaust yourselves. It's a new world -
> > and it will sometimes be ugly. Blame the Democrats or the Republicans,
> > Wall Street or Main Street, but figure out how to adapt.
> >
> > OK. So.... What can we do to ride out the storm?
> >
> > 1. Find a marketing advantage. POLs and certain smaller private labs
> > cannot remain the "bargain" they once were. My lab is expectiing to get
> > back some of what we lost to them a few years back. We are the only game
> > in our town.... Why are we losing business to labs in other areas? It
> > should all be staying here.
> >
> > 2. Become politically active. Demand better from your elected officials
> > and from your professional organizations that are lobbyists(sp). If they
> > can't do the job, use your vote or your membership fees to fire them OR
> > run for office yourself. Become an activist in your professional
> > organization.
> >
> > 3. Maintain high standards. Cut-backs and performance improvement need
> > not automatically equate to less quality. I hate it when people assume
> > that shaving a couple of minutes must necessitate poor cutting. How
> > close to borderline is your current quality if this is your attitude.
> > Yes, that was snarky, but think about it.
> >
> > 4. Remember the mantra of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe: DON'T
> > PANIC. When you are caught up in a panic mentality, thinking and problem
> > solving suffer. We need our heads in the game if we are going to come
> > out on top.
> > (How's that for my best Zig Zigler impersonation)?
> >
> > Above all - have a nice day and thank you for letting me vent a bit.
> >
> > Bill
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> > [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce
> > Gapinski
> > Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:37 AM
> > To: 'histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu'
> > Subject: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze
> >
> > Wow,
> >                 How disappointing. Looking for constructive ways to keep
> > my lab open and I get political stuff. Did you all go crazy in the 80's
> > with Ronald Ray-gun and the DRG's? Too young?
> >
> >
> > Bruce Gapinsk HT (ASCP)
> > Chief Histologist
> > Marin Medical Laboratories
> > PathGroup SF
> >
> >
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