RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze
Thank you Bill, well stated! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of O'Donnell, Bill Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 3:25 PM To: Bruce Gapinski; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze 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-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce Gapinski Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:37 AM To: 'histonet@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 Important Notice: This e-mail is intended for the use of the person to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please destroy this message and contact the Security Officer at PathGroup, Inc immediately at 615-562-9255. Thank you ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet This electronic mail and any attached documents are intended solely for the named addressee(s) and contain confidential information. If you are not an addressee, or responsible for delivering this email to an addressee, you have received this email in error and are notified that reading, copying, or disclosing this email is prohibited. If you received this email in error, immediately reply to the sender and delete the message completely from your computer system. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze
Dear Histonians, I am sorry. I wish I felt as you do. We were looking at this for some time, and it was inevitable. Histology has enjoyed a fairly long period of great reimbursement. what we had been doing overall in healthcare could not be sustained The only thing that may cost a few jobs is if over-utilization is curbed. I don't get it. I don't run my lab that way. Or my Pathologists are real fat-cats who've been pulling the wool over my eyes for almost 40 years. How is it you all can post to HistoNet if you're so flippin lean? I don't have time to do this during work hours. I'M BUSY. Did you get rich in Histology? I didn't. Loosing a job is painful, and we in mid management loathe letting our staff go. The notion that I'm in panic mode is baiting at best. I asked for help from my colleagues and got a plate full of Rush Limbaugh. Untill HistoNet has CONSTRUCTIVE information, I will stay unsubscribed. Bruce Gapinski -Original Message- From: Boyd, Debbie M [mailto:dkb...@chs.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 6:12 AM To: O'Donnell, Bill; Bruce Gapinski; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze Thank you Bill, well stated! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of O'Donnell, Bill Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 3:25 PM To: Bruce Gapinski; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze 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-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce Gapinski Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:37 AM To: 'histonet@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 Important Notice: This e-mail is intended for the use of the person to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged
RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze
This post is Op-Ed in nature... So Be Cool. Should probably just let this thread die a quiet death over Thanksgiving, but I can't resist. Blame it on a short night and a very early morning ... or blame it on me. Whatever. My long and ranting post was also more of an Op-Ed. No person or persons were named nor intended to be personal. Sorry if it hit a nerve - but then that's what Op-Ed does. Is there a place for such on HistoNet? Maybe, maybe not. If asked how to retrieve an antigen - there may or may not be better ways of doing it but my opinions about it aren't worth much. But this 88305 issue, if you are in clinical work, is one that we are all dealing with without any particularly familiar ground to work with. To some degree opinions, one way or the other, is what we are left with. And, believe it or not, through all the griping, panic and befuddlement, I was able to gain useful insight. So, I vote that this is a legitimate forum for our concerns as well as our particular technical brilliance. Personally, I'm not all that smart. I'm just determined and focused. Information on the legislation is out there but it is far too laborious and nuanced for most of us poor scientists to completely comprehend. It wasn't written for us but for lawyers and insurance companies. I have to rely on people smarter than me to figure all of this stuff out. I like that HistoNet is full of smarter people. (A personal note: I actually did become very wealthy in histology. I just choose to drive a 2000 Mercury with a cracked windshield, broken door handles and a peculiar smell of hickory smoke and spoiled milk. I could air it out if the windows workedcall me eccentric - and a real smarta$$!) Bottom line: I've been jobless, it suc*ks. I've been without a home for a short duration, and it suc*ks even more. It will not happen to me again - even in this economy. Bustin' my chops to make sure it doesn't! My main tools are a cool head and a strong attitude and the occasional rant. (I am my own best tool) A lot of the rest of it is out of my sphere of control, but I am as forward thinking and as pro-active as I am able. So far, I'm still working, living indoors and still have heat and running water. I'm not going to let a cut in the money my company makes determine what I do or be my motivator. In fact, when I get home in the evening - I don't think about it one wit. I have a wife to love, a dog to pet, a dinner to eat and a bed to sleep in 88305 be dam*ned! And that gives me reason for a great Thanksgiving! I hope ya'll have a great one! - Shalom! Bill -Original Message- From: Bruce Gapinski [mailto:bgapin...@pathgroup.com] Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 10:12 AM To: 'Boyd, Debbie M'; O'Donnell, Bill; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze Dear Histonians, I am sorry. I wish I felt as you do. We were looking at this for some time, and it was inevitable. Histology has enjoyed a fairly long period of great reimbursement. what we had been doing overall in healthcare could not be sustained The only thing that may cost a few jobs is if over-utilization is curbed. I don't get it. I don't run my lab that way. Or my Pathologists are real fat-cats who've been pulling the wool over my eyes for almost 40 years. How is it you all can post to HistoNet if you're so flippin lean? I don't have time to do this during work hours. I'M BUSY. Did you get rich in Histology? I didn't. Loosing a job is painful, and we in mid management loathe letting our staff go. The notion that I'm in panic mode is baiting at best. I asked for help from my colleagues and got a plate full of Rush Limbaugh. Untill HistoNet has CONSTRUCTIVE information, I will stay unsubscribed. Bruce Gapinski -Original Message- From: Boyd, Debbie M [mailto:dkb...@chs.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 6:12 AM To: O'Donnell, Bill; Bruce Gapinski; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze Thank you Bill, well stated! -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of O'Donnell, Bill Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 3:25 PM To: Bruce Gapinski; histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Subject: RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze 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
[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 Important Notice: This e-mail is intended for the use of the person to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please destroy this message and contact the Security Officer at PathGroup, Inc immediately at 615-562-9255. Thank you ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze
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-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce Gapinski Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:37 AM To: 'histonet@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 Important Notice: This e-mail is intended for the use of the person to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please destroy this message and contact the Security Officer at PathGroup, Inc immediately at 615-562-9255. Thank you ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet This electronic mail and any attached documents are intended solely for the named addressee(s) and contain confidential information. If you are not an addressee, or responsible for delivering this email to an addressee, you have received this email in error and are notified that reading, copying, or disclosing this email is prohibited. If you received this email in error, immediately reply to the sender and delete the message completely from your computer system. ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
Re: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze
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 billodonn...@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-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Bruce Gapinski Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 10:37 AM To: 'histonet@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 Important Notice: This e-mail is intended for the use of the person to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please destroy this message and contact the Security Officer at PathGroup, Inc immediately at 615-562-9255. Thank you ___ Histonet mailing list Histonet
RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze
True, things will change and despite all the angst probably for the better for medical care overall. Listen to these two podcasts from the Commonwealth Club of California for some REAL insight into the current state of medicine (or get the book of the first speaker) 1) http://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2012-03-19/dr-david-healy-eclipse-medical-care Dr. Otis Brawley: Fighting Patient Mistreatment in America [and by mistreatment he does not mean LACK of treatment!!] Otis Brawley, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President, American Cancer Society; Co-author, How We Do Harm: A Doctor Breaks Ranks About Being Sick in America Finance, Brawley asserts, is inextricably linked to health care in America's current system. Even the very procedures patients undergo, he says, are frequently determined more by doctors' expected payment for performing them than their actual appropriateness in mitigating the ailment with which the patient is afflicted. Brawley will discuss the extent of this problem as well as possible solutions. 2) http://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2012-03-19/dr-david-healy-eclipse-medical-care Dr. David Healy: Eclipse of Medical Care David Healy, MD, Cardiff University We live in an evidence-based medicine world. Healy sees increasing signs of a mismatch between what is passing as evidence and the real data from studies. As a result, patients and doctors are both increasingly invisible in the clinical encounter, and doctors are losing the ability to care for patients. Join us as Healy explains his theories behind this flawed system and the actions that he believes must be taken to right the problems we are facing. Tim Morken UCSF Medical Center -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Davide Costanzo Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 1:03 PM To: O'Donnell, Bill Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Bruce Gapinski Subject: Re: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze 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 billodonn...@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
RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze
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: pathloc...@gmail.com To: billodonn...@catholichealth.net Subject: Re: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; bgapin...@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 billodonn...@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
RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze
There are cuts coming to IHC in 2014 - just be prepared for that as well. j Joyce Weems Pathology Manager 678-843-7376 Phone 678-843-7831 Fax joyce.we...@emoryhealthcare.org www.saintjosephsatlanta.org 5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road Atlanta, GA 30342 This e-mail, including any attachments is the property of Saint Joseph's Hospital and is intended for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). It may contain information that is privileged and confidential. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this message, and reply to the sender regarding the error in a separate email. -Original Message- From: histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-boun...@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of joelle weaver Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2012 5:34 PM To: pathloc...@gmail.com; billodonn...@catholichealth.net Cc: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; bgapin...@pathgroup.com Subject: RE: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze 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: pathloc...@gmail.com To: billodonn...@catholichealth.net Subject: Re: [Histonet] Pa Leeeze CC: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu; bgapin...@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 billodonn...@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
