Part 2 Flashcards
What can drive the addition of a new test into a lab?
Request from clinician
Change to meet BP/NICE Guidelines
Change to meet needs of lab - more efficient, cost effective, access to new equip
What 4 broad factors should you consider when setting up a new test?
Clinical and Genetic
Population
Technical
Other - staffing, space, cost etc
Setting up a new test - clinical factors - what are the 3 main categories for clinical purpose of new test?
1) To reduce morbidity or mortality
2) To provide information to the care of patient/family
3) To assist family in reproductive decision making
What clinical information can a test provide for the care of a patient/family?
Diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis, management
What reproductive information can a test provide for a family?
Carrier testing, prenatal testing, pregnancy management, PND, NIPD/NIPT, accurate risk scores
In what ways can a result of a test aid clinical care and outcome for a patient?
Direct impact on treatment options
Confirmed diagnosis - end of diagnostic odyssey
Family implications - cascade testing, parental samples etc
What genetic knowledge is needed to set up test?
Gene(s) involved, mode of inheritance, mutation spectrum, penetrance, ethnic differences, pseudogenes, penetrance, populations to target
How might the genetics of a disorder dictate the use of a particular assay?
Pseudogenes - eg CAH
Triplet disorders - eg FRAX, HD
Mosaic disorders - eg Pallister Killian
CNV vs SNV vs both
What population factors should be considered when implementing a new test?
Disease Prevalence
Ethnicity of test population
Clinical and social infrastructure to support genetic findings
What equipment/reagent implications should be considered when setting up a new test?
New vs existing equipment
New - cost, including service contract, space and future applications
Existing - impact on other tests in lab
Sharing with another lab
COSHH, storage, calibration, acceptance of use
What IT infrastructure might be needed when setting up a new test?
Analysis software
Data output and storage
Level of bioinformatics required
Additional info in existing LIMS - eg workflows etc
What sample considerations must be taken if implementing a new test?
Easy to get DNA/cells from Stability of cfDNA if applicable Transport requirements Sample type Existing pathways for sample - eg if sample routinely fixed for pathology and therefore unsuitable for culture etc
What staffing requirements need to be considered when setting up a new test?
Is a new vacancy required? Business case
Training for existing staff? Who to provide
Impact on other services if new staff not brought in
Staff competency records
How might the cost of a new test be covered?
Business case Grant - eg Innovate UK Commissioned by Trust Private partnership - placing of equipment in lab/reagent rental etc Partnership with charity - eg Jnetics
What miscellaneous factors should be considered when setting up a new test?
Existing/new BPGs Space - equipment/storage/processing, new staff Future proof as knowingly possible? MDT working needed? Does TAT fit clinical need? Legal implications Health economics
How might you carry out a cost analysis on the implementation of a new test?
Calculate cost per patient and validation
How does cost of test compare to sending away?
Should include equipment, reagents, staffing, IT
What factors could affect cost effectiveness of test
Batch vs single processing
Numbers received - balance of batch vs TAT
Economies of scale - higher numbers processed can incur savings on reagents
Numbers of controls needed per run - eg MLPA
What documentation is needed when setting up a new test?
SOP - include details of acceptance/rejection criteria, disease, genes, test purpose, limitations, unusual scenarios, test analysis and reporting procedure COSHH and risk assessments Staffing competency documentation Validation Documentation Accreditation documentation
What is a Business Plan?
Statement of strategic objectives and an outline for how these objectives will be met. Supports proposals for new service development, new staff, new equipment or a capital project
What is a budget?
Estimate of income, costs and cash flows over a specified period. Should reflect objectives in business plan and other events forecast to happen
What 6 basic questions might we consider when writing a business plan?
1) What do we want to do? 2) What have we done in the past? 3) What must we do well to succeed? 4) What can we already do? 5) What might we do next? 6) What should we do?
What 6 areas should be considered when writing a business plan?
1) Expectations of Trust/key stakeholders 2) Analysis of current and past performance 3) Identification of key success factors 4) Strengths and weaknesses of resources and capabilities 5) Opportunities and threats 6) Identification of range of options
How might you set the framework within national and local priorities in your business plan?
Undertake SWOT analysis
Identify need for change - target cohort, clinical utility, long term goals
How might you define the aims and objectives of your business plan?
SMART objectives
Identify benefit criteria - eg clinical quality, improved patient outcomes, staffing
Specify quantified targets
How might you carry out an option appraisal when writing a business plan?
Explore different deliver model options
Generate long list - brainstorm, consider different methods
Consider relative advantage, disadvantages and feasibility of each option
Engage with KEY STAKEHOLDERS
Costing exercise
How might you narrow a long list to a short list in a business plan?
Intended outcomes, expected workload and throughput, staffing consequences, implications for estates, impact on KPIs, impact on financial performance, impact on IT systems.
Identify total be costs of each option
Estimate capital costs, revenue costs, costs due to change in working practice, other one-off costs
Forecast for demand
Reimbursement
How might you structure a business plan?
Introduction Aims Option Appraisal Proposal Impact of proposal Risk analysis Conclusions and recommendations
What is SWOT analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Assessments of internal/external and helpful/harmful factors
What factors should be considered under strengths/weakness of SWOT analysis?
Human Resources - staff, target pop, service users
Physical resources - location, building, equipment
Financial - grants, funding agencies, other sources of income
Activities and processes - programs you run, systems you employ
Past experiences
What opportunities/threats should you consider in SWOT analysis?
Future trends in field/culture
Economy - local and national
Funding sources - foundations, donors, legislatures
Demographics - changes in race, age, gender, culture of those you serve
Physical environment
Legislation
Local, national or international events
What are SMART objectives?
Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time based
What tactics might you employ to execute strategy?
Plan to fill clinical need Costing Communication Promotion Launch dates Configuration of services Recruitment Training
How might you evaluate and manage an ongoing business plan?
Regular review and revision
Tracking of progress and performance - KPI audit
Regular course corrections
Add to quality objectives - regularly reviewed and evidence - ISO requirement
What is SBAR?
Situation
Background
Assessment
Recommendation
Tool for effective communication
What was NHSI’s vision for Pathology Services released in 2017?
29 hubs to be set up from existing services
Achieve £200m saving by 2021/21
Providers to be put into 1 of 29 proposed pathology hubs
What were some of RCPath’s concerns over Carter Report for Pathology Integration (2016)?
Activity and cost data flawed
Assumption that cheaper = better is flawed
Investing in Path Services leads to earlier diagnosis and better treatment - cheaper than cutting services
Potential for loss of skilled staff
Timetable unrealistic
What parallels can be drawn between Carter Report for Pathology services and Genetics Reconfiguration?
Hub and spoke models
Emphasis on cost-cutting rather than excellence
No staff engagement by NHSE before plan announced
Moving scientists away from Clinicians - reducing #’s of labs
What is QIPP?
Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention
What are main focuses of QIPP?
Demand side - actions by COMMISSIONERS to reduce demand for provider’s services - avoiding duplication, preventing errors and stopping ineffective practices
What is predicted mismatch between funding and need identified in 2014 5YFV?
Nearly £30 billion a year by 2020/21
What efficiencies are needed in 5YFV to meet funding shortfall by April 2021?
2-3% per year - effectively a 10-15% real terms cost reduction target
What is CQUIN?
Commissioning for Quality and Innovation
What is aim of CQUIN?
Encourages care providers to share and continually improve how care is delivered
Transparency and overall improvement in healthcare
What is CIP?
Cost Improvement Programme
Describe a CIP
Scheme to increase efficiencies or reduce expenditure
What is the main difference between a CIP and a QIPP?
CIP is Trust’s responsibility
QIPP is commissioner’s responsibility
Name two other names for a CIP
Transformational change programme
Improvement programme
What are the 5 key factors in delivering sustainable CIPs?
1) Clear organisational purpose and vision
2) Involvement and buy-in from whole organisation
3) Organisation culture that seeks to improve safety, quality and pat experience
4) Strong governance arrangements, clear lines of accountability and clinical leadership
5) Realistic evidence-based CIP schemes
What are the 4 steps to delivering a CIP?
1) Identify potential CIPs
2) Assess potential impact on quality and cost
3) Approve plans
4) Assess actual impact on quality
What are 3 considerations when Identifiying a potential CIP?
Majority of CIPs should be based on change to current process
Neutral or positive impact on quality as well as reducing costs
CIPs should not put registration at risk by bringing quality below essential common standards
How would you assess potential impact on quality and cost of a CIP?
Categorised by potential impact on quality
Significant impact on quality should be subject and an assessment including:
Analysis of current processes
KPI benchmarking
Historical evidence
Detailed assessment of financial impact in line with current practice
How would you approve plans for a CIP?
Ensure clinicians understand and accept CIP - clinical ownership
Board assurance required that CIPs have been assessed for quality
Appropriate mechanism in place for capturing front-line staff concerns
What 3 mains areas can you consider for cutting lab costs?
1) staffing
2) non-staff
3) Income generation
What staffing considerations can you make during CIP?
Staffing traditionally 70-80% of lab costs
Natural wastage/ loss of vacant posts/reduce sickness
PRP/fixed term contract
Restructuring/streamlining
What non-staff costs can you consider in your CIP?
Methodology
Consumables
Equipment
Reduction of errors
Give examples of how we monitor performance?
Regular audit Use of controls EQA Monitoring KPIs Incident reporting User surveys Staff-related indicators
Give 4 types of audit
Horizontal
Vertical
Examination
Clinical
What are the 9 dimensions of the Healthcare Leadership Model
Inspiring shared purpose Leading with care Evaluating information Connecting our service Sharing the vision Engaging the team Holding to account Developing capability Influencing for results
What is the purpose of audit?
Demonstrate quality Identify areas for change Monitor consistency Improve quality Implementation Measure performance ISO Compliance
Where does uncertainty come from in measurement?
Instrument Item being measured Measurement process Imported uncertainties Operator skill Sampling issues The environment