Some of the most devastating medical errors for patients can start in the lab ranging from a biopsy that doesn’t extract the tumor cells to a mix-up with another patient’s sample. Studies indicate that from 3-5% of the billions of annual U.S. lab specimens are defective but the more worrisome problem is the higher and more dangerous error rate for certain cancer tests where, for example, a false positive may result in unnecessary surgery or a false positive can miss a fatal skin cancer. What’s at stake is not only patient safety but also the inflated costs that result from such errors and treatment delays as well as the heightened threat of malpractice claims

Hospitals and health systems are working on initiatives to bring more rigorous standards to pathology labs. These efforts underscore the ongoing need to target pathology problems and errors in order to improve the quality of anatomic pathology services, diagnostic information and patient management.

By participating in this audio conference program, you’ll be able to:

Identify key challenges and opportunities for pathology relating to error reduction and improving patient safety

Define pathology errors and how discrepant diagnoses result in clinician management decisions that do result in harm to patients

Understand why its important to collect and analyze data pertaining to errors

Learn to respond to pathology errors to reduce or eliminate the risk of harm to patients

Find out how to devise a strategy to improve pathology practice based on error reduction

You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions – and get expert advice – in our interactive Q & A portion of the program. Join your colleagues and participate in this invaluable audio conference. Take this hassle-free approach to gaining invaluable information and insight on improving pathology practice and cost effectiveness through error reduction . Here’s no travel, no overnight stays. And your entire staff can listen – for one low fee!

Continuing education credit is available. For more program information, please call 800-401-5937 ext. 2.

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Stanley J. Geyer, MD
Principal Geyer Pathology Services, LLC

Stephen A. Raab, MD
Professor & Chief of Pathology and Director for Pathology Quality & Healthcare Research Department of Pathology University of Pittsburgh

Host & Moderator:

Dennis Weissman
President, Dennis Weissman & Associates, LLC and Founder & Executive Editor, Washington G-2 Reports