How Can We Reduce Unnecessary Lab Testing?

Faces of Digital Health

Laboratory tests provide doctors with crucial information for diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, evaluating organ function, assessing risk factors for diseases and more. Laboratory testing can be reassuring, however, it is often deemed unnecessary. In this short episode recorded at HLTH, we’re going to talk about laboratory test optimization. How can it be done without undermining clinical autonomy, what kind of real-time insights can be offered to doctors with tech and more. You will hear from Pam Stahl, President of of Avalon Healthcare Solutions - American Lab Insights Company, that help payers and providers optimize treatments, improve outcomes, and drive down overall cost.

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Show notes:

[00:02:04] - Introduction to Avalon Health Solutions and their role in generating actionable insights from lab results.

[00:02:21] - Discussion on the big picture problem in healthcare: the overuse and underuse of lab tests and the drive towards improving clinical decision-making.

[00:03:25] - Clarification on Avalon's approach to managing unnecessary tests and their non-involvement in claims adjudication.

[00:03:49] - Explanation of how Avalon provides guidance on appropriate test ordering and interpretation based on evidence-based medicine.

[00:04:20] - The learning curve for providers in test ordering and the issue of test misuse.

[00:05:16] - Areas where lab tests are often underutilized, particularly in cancer diagnosis.

[00:05:45] - The potential of using lab data predictively, with a focus on chronic kidney disease.

[00:06:20] - How Avalon creates patient profiles and uses predictive analytics to improve healthcare management.

[00:06:53] - Avalon's ongoing development of predictive models and their impact on healthcare.

[00:07:36] - The challenge of changing the status quo in lab test utilization and the cost savings involved.

[00:07:47] - Avalon's growth and the scale of their operations, with a client base of 33 million members.

[00:08:00] - The role of patient engagement and communication strategies in healthcare management.

[00:08:41] - The importance of accurate and clear communication channels with patients to avoid confusion.

[00:09:08] - The rapidly evolving field of genetic testing and Avalon's role in managing the abundance of available tests.

[00:10:07] - Addressing concerns about over-systemizing lab test ordering and the potential for provider friction.

[00:11:13] - Feedback from clinicians and Avalon's clinical advisory board on the impact of their services.

[00:11:55] - The broader implications of cost savings and sustainability in healthcare through better lab test management.

[00:12:11] - In-depth look at predictive analytics and its application in healthcare outcome improvements.

[00:13:18] - Strategies for Avalon's customer expansion and managing growth.