Overview
Laboratory Outreach Program
Rising costs, tighter regulations, labor shortages, low reimbursements and the constant pressure to improve quality and safety are some of the challenges that hospitals face today. Delivering quality healthcare and the right to do it profitably has become a harder goal to meet.
PAML's Laboratory Outreach Program is a way for existing hospital-based labs to grow their business by garnering a greater share of a currently aligned physicians' test ordering and by attracting the work of physicians not previously using the hospital laboratory for routine or esoteric testing.
Industry Leader
Through innovative business structures, strategies and initiatives that address as well as anticipate the unique challenges of the evolving outreach market, PAML has succeeded in developing a nationally recognized Laboratory Outreach Program that partners’ with community-based hospitals.
PAML has become an industry leader in hospital joint ventures and hospital partnerships because of our:
- Expertise in developing cutting-edge laboratory management systems, including state-of-the-art automation and support services.
- Unique set of products and services that eliminate the barriers many hospitals face in trying to develop an outreach program on their own.
- Our ability to truly “partner” with hospital laboratories without competing for your routine testing business.
By partnering with PAML, the hospital lab can significantly expand its effective test menu and offer additional services to draw work from general and specialist physicians throughout the community. We are extremely motivated to ensure your success and recognize that each client is different so our solutions are tailored to each client’s specific business strategy.
Hospitals who have made the decision to partner with PAML have seen a significant increase in their laboratory business.
PAML's Outreach Principles
- Healthcare delivery is a local issue – not a national one.
- A well-positioned local laboratory system can compete effectively with the national laboratories.
- Laboratory systems integrated with other healthcare services have a competitive advantage over independent outpatient laboratories.
- Inpatient and outpatient laboratory testing can be combined cost-effectively in a hospital environment – with improved quality and service to physicians.
- Physicians prefer one system to access both inpatient and outpatient clinical laboratory information.
Community-based Healthcare
PAML believes in community-based healthcare and has designed its Laboratory Outreach Program to foster the economic health of the communities where we do business.
- We are strongly committed to keeping jobs, financial resources and decision-making right where patients live.
- We work with our partners to enhance relationships with local physicians and other area hospitals.
PAML Partnership and Joint Venture Options
Our partnerships with hospitals range in scope and complexity from simple testing relationships to full LLC joint ventures combining inpatient and outpatient testing. Rather than offer only a “one size fits all” approach to outreach services, PAML works with hospitals to custom-tailor programs that fit the unique needs of the local market.
- Shared Testing Partner: PAML provides the pre- and post-analytical services, and the hospital provides the local testing services. This allows the hospital to do what they do best while PAML provides the infrastructure components of an outreach program.
- Outreach Laboratory Partnership LLC (Joint Venture): PAML and the hospital enter into a joint venture partnership that shares costs and profits. PAML provides the pre-and post-analytical services, and the hospital provides the testing.
These partnerships and joint ventures cover a broad expanse of markets, from small self-contained areas such as Billings, Montana and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to large diverse regions encompassing the Everett/Seattle/Tacoma metroplex and the Ogden/Salt Lake City/Provo corridor.
Benefits to Partner Hospitals
- Increases testing volume.
- Improves laboratory productivity.
- Significantly lowers inpatient lab testing costs on a per unit basis.
- Makes additional testing procedures cost-effective for the hospital to perform.
- Capital investments in laboratory testing facilities can be more fully utilized.
- Hospital revenues are enhanced through test reimbursement and LLC profits.
- Physician relationships are enhanced, which can be a basis for providing physicians with other outpatient services.
Hospital testing is increased – benefiting hospital medical staff and timely medical decisions.
Proven Track Record of Hospital Collaborations
With a long history of creating outreach models throughout the Northwest, PAML has a proven record of accomplishment in successful outreach partnerships and joint ventures—all of which continue to be profitable. PAML and its affiliates are owned by organizations that are part of the fabric of the western United States.
PACLAB Network Laboratories (PACLAB)
PAML is a founding member of PacLab Network Laboratories. One of the most successful laboratory–hospital ventures in the United States—with revenues exceeding $72 million—PacLab has the largest outreach lab market share in the region. Founded in 1996, PacLab operates throughout the Seattle–Puget Sound market in western Washington—extending from Canada to the Oregon border. Hospital partners include Providence Health System-Washington, Providence Everett Medical Center, Franciscan Health System, Overlake Hospital Medical Center, Evergreen Healthcare, Stevens Hospital and PAML.
Tri-Cities Laboratory (TCL)
Founded in 1999, TCL is a joint venture of Kadlec Medical Center, Kennewick General Hospital, Lourdes Health Network, and PAML. TCL provides laboratory services throughout central Washington.
Treasure Valley Laboratory (TVL)
Founded in 1999 and based in Boise, Idaho, TVL is a joint venture between Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center and PAML. TVL provides laboratory services throughout southern Idaho and eastern Oregon.
Alpha Medical Laboratory (ALPHA)
Founded in 1996 and based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, ALPHA partners with Kootenai Medical Center and provides laboratory services throughout northern Idaho.
MountainStar Clinical Laboratories (MSCL)
Founded in 2008 and based in Salt Lake City, Utah, MSCL is a joint venture with St. Mark’s Hospital, Lakeview Hospital and PAML. MSCL provides laboratory services throughout the northern and central portion of Utah.
Colorado Laboratory Services (CLS)
Founded in 2010 and based in Denver, Colorado, CLS is a joint venture between 11 Centura Health Hospitals and PAML. CLS provides laboratory services throughout Colorado.
California Laboratory Associates (CLA)
Founded in 2010 and based in Burbank, California, CLA is a joint venture between Providence Health & Services-California and PAML. CLA provides laboratory services throughout southern California.
Kentucky Laboratory Services (KLS)
Founded in 2010 and based in Lexington, Kentucky, KLS is a joint venture between PAML and the Saint Joseph Health System. KLS provides laboratory services throughout Kentucky.
Unique Perspective
Our success with these ventures stems from PAML’s background as a hospital-based laboratory system. We have a unique perspective on the challenges and requirements of local, hospital-based testing. Because of this background, we can help local hospital partners achieve the high level of client response and services that their local laboratories and prospective clients require.
Partnership Components
PAML can provide innovative, flexible support to our hospital partners. As a PAML partner, you may select any or all of the partner components that best fits your outreach needs.
- Operational assessment
- Strategic planning including business, financial, and marketing plans
- Market assessments
- Competitive analysis
- Management Services
- Expanded Test Menu
- Support Tools
- Professional billing and collection services
- Innovative IT connectivity solutions
- Progressive courier and logistics network
- Client Services support
- Educational support
- Consultation services
- Sales & marketing support
- Compliance assistance
- Joint Test Directory of Services (LabDex)
- Sales training by highly experienced sales personnel
- Co-branded marketing material
These tools can be used to reach out to surrounding communities to attract new physicians, lab testing opportunities and revenue generation not normally available in the traditional medical setting. The benefit is considerable, particularly for hospitals and healthcare delivery networks interested in growing the volume of testing they perform for their local medical community.