Stephen S. Raab, M.D., University of Washington, Seattle, WA, and Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada and Maxwell L. Smith, M.D., Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ
In the current healthcare environment, there is an increased focus on improving the quality of care in all settings, including laboratory medicine. This short course models change in real anatomic pathology work processes, educates through simulation, and disseminates best practice principles and processes. The categories of attendees who would benefit most from this course include anatomic pathologists of all levels of experience, fellows, and residents.
This course is composed of two parts: 1) a short didactic portion in which Lean-based simulation improvement principles are introduced and 2) small group sessions in which participants are provided hands-on experience in simulation education and practice improvement. Simulation training will consist of written, video, audio, and "real-practice" recreation of specific scenarios that will "embed" workshop participants in a simulated practice. The participants will rotate through the steps of anatomic pathology care and will learn methods of education and problem solving in the gross room, histopathology laboratory, and pathologist office. Participants actively will investigate failures in cognition, communication, and technical skills and discuss process change best practices and barriers to change.
Prior to the course, participants will be provided with recommended reading from the existing quality improvement literature and a list of published sources of anatomic pathology quality improvement initiatives through the USCAP website. Participants will be provided a syllabus including informational material, copy of all PowerPoint slides, and selected simulation-based education examples at the meeting. After the meeting, participants will have web access to the PowerPoint presentation given during the Annual Meeting along with the text portion of the syllabus.
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 1) Define quality improvement methods of root cause analysis and redesign in their laboratory, 2) Gather knowledge of simulation methods, 3) Duplicate improved skill sets including those involved in diagnosis, technical tasks, and communication.
This course may be used for CME credits or SAM credits.
