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Leveraging the Laboratory

Leveraging the Laboratory

42 episodes

Establishing Successful Relationships With Skilled Nursing Facilities

Apr 27, 202620 min

Ep 41Celebrating Laboratory Professionals: Ideas for a Meaningful Lab Week

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Wendy Daigle and Ellen Dijkman Dulkes to discuss National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week and share ideas for celebrating across the organization. National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week background (00:25): A brief history and overview of the annual celebration honoring laboratory professionals.Celebrating in the lab (01:22): Tried-and-true traditions and creative activities the team has seen during Lab Week throughout their careers.Taking the message beyond the lab (08:52): Ideas for using Lab Week to highlight the impact of laboratory professionals in healthcare. Reaching off-site staff (11:52): Insights on engaging and celebrating staff who work outside the main laboratory.Educational opportunities (13:32): Thoughts on incorporating learning and professional development into Lab Week activities.Rapid fire question (17:14): The team shares what makes careers in laboratory medicine rewarding.Get guidance for planning your Lab Week in “Plan a meaningful Lab Week with the three E’s,” an article from Dijkman Dulkes.

Mar 30, 202619 min

Ep 40Creating Effective Outreach Leadership Roles

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Wendy Daigle and Ellen Dijkman Dulkes to explore the diverse roles and responsibilities of outreach leaders. Together, they share insights based on their own experiences and the work they do with clients.Common responsibilities (01:02): An overview of core duties that outreach leaders manage across programs of varying size and maturity.Ideal job description (12:07): A discussion of what the team believes should be included in a well-designed outreach leadership role.Time distribution (21:36): How outreach leaders balance their time across responsibilities, stakeholders, and organizational needs.Leadership highlights (23:02): Reflections on the most rewarding aspects of leading and supporting a successful outreach program.

Feb 23, 202626 min

Ep 39Goal-Setting Insights for Laboratory Outreach Programs

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Wendy Daigle and Ellen Dijkman Dulkes to discuss identifying meaningful goals for a laboratory outreach program and taking steps to achieve them. Key topics include: Internal influences (01:32): The importance of considering your organization’s and department’s broader goals when defining your own.Measurement (06:20): Using metrics and data to understand your current state and track progress. Ambition level (10:10): Determining the right balance between bold, aspirational goals and more attainable ones.Prioritization (13:00): Factors to consider when prioritizing goals.Planning for success (14:30): How to create a plan that helps you make meaningful progress.

Jan 26, 202626 min

Ep 38Key Updates on Today’s Regulatory Landscape for Outreach Laboratories

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, welcomes Chelsea Conn, Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ director of regulatory affairs. Together, they break down the latest regulatory changes and share actionable strategies to help outreach programs stay informed and prepared. Key topics include: FDA rule for lab-developed tests (01:36): What the recent rescinding of the FDA rule means for labs.New Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) regulations (04:36): Clarifications on lab director qualification updates from late 2024.College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation (07:52): New checklist requirements for reporting and submitting to public health authorities.Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) reform (11:40): The latest developments on new approaches to reimbursement for laboratory tests.Recommended resources (17:32): How to stay up to date on regulations affecting the laboratory industry.

Dec 29, 202520 min

Ep 37Practical Strategies for Boosting Outreach Laboratory Profitability

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by Wendy Daigle and Ellen Dijkman Dulkes, outreach solutions specialists. Together, they share practical strategies that outreach programs can consider to strengthen their financial performance.Managing courier expenses (02:06): Explore ways to manage customer expectations and service agreements to control courier costs effectively.Optimizing payment for phlebotomy (13:09): Discover coding considerations and unique service opportunities, such as home visits and education, that may help maximize financial return for phlebotomy offerings.

Nov 24, 202525 min

Ep 36Delivering Exceptional Phlebotomy Experiences to Patients With Unique Needs

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by Todd Juen, outpatient lab supervisor at Mayo Clinic. Together, they explore how to deliver exceptional experiences to patient populations with unique needs, including: Pediatric patients (02:46): Learn about the thoughtful accommodations made to ensure a positive experience for young patients.Patients using wheelchairs (05:43): Explore techniques and tools for drawing blood when standard arm stabilization equipment isn’t an option.Communications challenges (7:55): Hear about translation resources used to help patients feel understood and supported.Privacy considerations (11:01): Gain ideas for managing the needs of high-profile patients — such as politicians, celebrities, or community figures — who require enhanced privacy.New innovation in phlebotomy (15:07): Get a glimpse of emerging technologies designed to support phlebotomists.

Oct 27, 202518 min

Ep 35Essential Communication Tips for Outreach Managers

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Wendy Daigle and Ellen Dijkman Dulkes. Together, they dive into the power of communication in laboratory outreach, sharing practical advice and memorable stories about:Identifying audiences (04:13): Discover the internal and external groups you need to communicate with regularly. The needs of different audiences (06:46): Learn how communication strategies must adapt for internal teams versus external partners, and what makes each group unique.Establishing relationships as a new manager (08:32): Get insights for new outreach managers on building trust and strong connections.Tips for strong relationships (16:15): Explore proven approaches for connecting with external partners, non-laboratory departments, and those who can boost your program’s visibility.Essential messages for support departments (24:56): The three most important things support departments should know about your outreach program.

Sep 29, 202527 min

Ep 34Elevating Clinical Lab Websites in a Changing Technology Landscape

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by Travis Engelhaupt, digital experience director, and Naomi Lovell, project manager. Together, they discuss website trends and best practices, including: Valuable content for clinical laboratory websites.The impact of mobile technology and artificial intelligence. Engaging leadership to secure resources. Opportunities for AI and external collaborators to support site management. Navigating update moratoriums.

Aug 25, 202522 min

Ep 33From Reference to Resource: Elevating the Lab Test Catalog

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by Karen Kloke, director of scientific and technical publications at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. Together, they explore the evolution of laboratory test catalogs and share practical tips for maximizing their value. Topics discussed include:Why test catalogs are vitally important. How electronic catalogs and electronic health records changed expectations and expanded possibilities for test catalogs. What essential information should be included in a test catalog — and what optional details can enhance usability and value for clients. Easy ways to create electronic catalogs by using familiar, widely available tools. You can learn more in “Transforming the Laboratory Test Catalog Into a Strategic Asset,” by outreach solutions strategist Ellen Dijkman Dulkes.

Jul 28, 202525 min

Ep 32Building Momentum for Outreach Implementation Success

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton. They discuss common reasons that outreach programs fail to launch and strategies for building momentum to implement a program. Specific topics include:The knowledge and competitive insights needed to move forward.Strategies to enter or expand into a large market without being overwhelmed. Buy-in from leaders on your outreach program implementation plan. Action plans and project management best practices.Listen to the first episode in this series, “Overcoming Common Barriers to Outreach Success.”

Jun 30, 202524 min

Ep 31Overcoming Common Barriers to Outreach Success

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton. They discuss common challenges outreach programs face that can lead to a program’s failure and how to overcome those barriers. Specific topics include:Bolstering leadership support and navigating competing priorities.Retaining customers and fixing common communication mistakes.Maintaining awareness of things that you cannot control but can impact your program.Establishing strong, dedicated leadership of the outreach program.View the 11 tactics that lead to the highest level of laboratory outreach success mentioned in this episode.

May 27, 202524 min

Ep 30Roles, Goals, and Communication: Launching an Outreach Program

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton to discuss building an outreach team. Specific topics include:Insights for identifying roles and staff for your outreach team. Guidance for establishing goals for an emerging outreach program. Strategies for effective communication among the outreach team.Tips for building strong relationships with your customers.

Apr 28, 202523 min

Ep 29How to Master Service Recovery

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton. They build on their previous discussion about customer service by focusing on service recovery. They discuss strategies for responding to mishaps in the laboratory in a way that supports your broader customer service goals. Specific topics include: Common breakdowns in the laboratory outreach environment that may require service recovery. Four parts of an effective response: listening, acknowledging, apologizing, and actions to rectify the situation. The power of turning service breakdowns into problem-solving opportunities that make your laboratory outreach program better. The importance of a quality management plan and empowered staff in effective service recovery. Additional resources mentioned during the podcast include Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ outreach articles on customer service and a free, on-demand customer service training module.

Mar 31, 202527 min

Ep 28Elevating Your Customer Service

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton. They discuss strategies for delivering excellent customer service. Specific topics include: Identifying points of contact with patients and clients that are opportunities to deliver a good experience. Creating a culture of customer service.Empowering employees to best serve patients and clients.Measuring your customer service.

Feb 24, 202524 min

Ep 27Getting the Most Value From Customer Surveys

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton. They discuss and share tips related to gathering customer input, including: The various audiences that can provide valuable feedback.Specific examples of the type of feedback to gather from each audience.Insights on designing and sending surveys to maximize participation.Visit mayocliniclabs.com to find the survey instruction guide and article about surveying discussed in this episode.

Jan 27, 202524 min

Ep 26Pathologists’ Important Roles in Community Medicine

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, speaks with Vipul Trivedi, M.D., chair of Pathology at Mayo Clinic Health System and chair of the Division of Community Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Trivedi helps oversee 38 hospital and clinic laboratories in various Midwest communities. He shared his advice for other leaders and insights on the role of pathology in community medicine, including: Providing guidance to physicians to help them leverage testing to best answer questions and reduce patient care costs. Meeting with physicians to understand their needs so the labs are prepared to best support them. Simplifying procedure management.The power of getting out of your office to talk with colleagues and laboratory staff.

Dec 30, 202418 min

Ep 25Preparing for Changes in Laboratory Regulations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation of laboratory-developed tests (LDT) and implementation of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) are both topics of high interest in the laboratory industry. In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, speaks with Shannon Bennett, director of Quality and Regulatory Affairs for the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, about these two topics, giving listeners: Background to help them make informed decisions. Actionable steps to take today to prepare for implementation. Ideas for advocating for your laboratory. Sources for learning more and staying informed.

Nov 25, 202420 min

Ep 24Working With Clients to Create a Smooth Testing Journey

Every laboratory strives to deliver excellent service and high-quality results. Still, unexpected challenges can arise on the journey from ordering to billing that can impact patient experience, efficiency, and turnaround times. In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, speaks with outreach solutions strategists Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton for the second part of their discussion on minimizing visible impact to the customer when there are bumps in the road. Their discussion includes practical, actionable tips to: Make it easier for providers to order the right tests. Enhance the patient experience. Prepare specimens for testing and transport to prevent errors and confusion.Solve reoccurring issues, address operational challenges, and navigate billing concerns. Listen to part one of their discussion, “How to Minimize Operational Disruptions in an Outreach Program,” for more on the internal response to inclement weather, technology outages, staffing shortages, and more.

Oct 28, 202426 min

Ep 23How to Minimize Operational Disruptions in an Outreach Program

Outreach operational plans are designed to provide excellent customer service, support staff efficiency, and maintain high quality. As with any business, laboratories may face unexpected circumstances that temporarily impact operations. In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, speaks with outreach solutions strategists Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton about how to establish processes that allow outreach programs to efficiently recover from road bumps and minimize visible impact to the customer. Their discussion topics include:Navigating inclement weather and adverse events that may impact courier services.Managing disruptions and outages to the information technology systems.Preparing effective downtime plans.Maintaining operations during a staffing shortage.

Sep 30, 202422 min

Ep 22Expanding Reach Through Home Phlebotomy

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, speaks with Camille Jewell, outpatient laboratory service technician at Mayo Clinic. They discuss how laboratory outreach programs can incorporate outcall or home phlebotomy to help prevent hospital readmissions, support patients with mobility challenges, and provide patient-centered care to the community. Specific topics of discussion include:What to consider when developing a home phlebotomy program, including patient criteria, physician collaboration, community need, scheduling, logistics, and staff training.Real-life examples of home phlebotomy scenarios.Lessons learned through Mayo Clinic’s home phlebotomy program.

Aug 26, 202419 min

Ep 21An Inside Perspective of Outreach

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by Mark Kjer, supervisor of technologist support at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss the different perspectives of the outreach program from the laboratory’s operational and technical levels. Their discussion topics include:Challenges related to the outreach program from the lab's perspective.How to support staff so they can successfully manage the variations in the pre-analytic phase.The distinct roles of the laboratory staff in the outreach program.The importance of staff and client feedback in developing effective workstreams.How to be an advocate for both the hospital and outreach laboratory programs.Learn more best practices at the Leveraging the Laboratory conference on Sept. 17 and 18, 2024, in Rochester, Minnesota. Register online.

Jul 29, 202421 min

Ep 20Engaging the Next Generation of Lab Professionals

At 16 years old, Isak Schmidley is the youngest person to have passed the American Society for Clinical Pathology’s (ASCP) Medical Laboratory Scientist certification exam. In addition to attending high school, Isak is enrolled in college graduate classes and works as a medical laboratory scientist at a hospital in Louisiana. In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, Isak joins the Mayo Clinic Laboratories outreach team — Jane Hermansen, Ellen Dijkman Dulkes, and Brianne Newton — to talk about his unique experience in joining the lab profession at a young age. Their discussion topics include:Favorite aspects of medical lab science and working in a hospital lab.Raising awareness of the lab profession among the younger generation and engaging students at an earlier age.Why a career as a medical lab scientist may be a good fit for individuals with an interest in healthcare, science, engineering, and technology.Learn more about connecting with the next generation of lab professionals at the Leveraging the Laboratory conference on Sept. 17 and 18, 2024, in Rochester, Minnesota. Register online.

Jun 24, 202418 min

Ep 19Managing Outpatient Interactions Beyond the Phlebotomy Setting

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, speaks with outreach solutions strategists Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton. They discuss how to proactively manage the variety of patient requests and interactions that occur in an outreach laboratory beyond the phlebotomy environment. Their discussion topics include:Communicating with the patient about at-home kit collection expectations.Maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency of receiving specimens from at-home collections. Preventing uncomfortable situations for the patient.Patient questions that may arise and how to address them.Learn more about positioning your organization for success at the Leveraging the Laboratory conference on Sept. 17 and 18, 2024, in Rochester, Minnesota. Register online.

May 28, 202423 min

Ep 18Advocating for the Laboratory Profession

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, speaks with outreach solutions strategists Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton. Their discussion focuses on advocating for the laboratory, lab careers, and the value of lab testing. Their discussion topics include:How to be an advocate for the laboratory and promote careers in medical lab science.Their career paths and why they chose to become laboratory professionals.The importance of staying informed and engaged on a local and national level.Words of wisdom for individuals considering a future career in the laboratory.

Apr 29, 202423 min

Ep 17Technology Needs and Challenges in the Outreach Lab

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, speaks with Dan Nelson, a Mayo Clinic contract employee and laboratory connectivity expert. They discuss the unique needs and challenges that outreach labs face with information technology (IT) systems. Specific topics of discussion include:How outreach laboratories can leverage IT solutions to streamline workflows, provide efficient and convenient services to customers, and remain competitive.Challenges to connectivity, including robust IT support teams, middleware solutions, compliant customer workflows, electronic medical record integration, and interfacing building resources.How IT needs of an enterprisewide health system vary from those of an independent organization.

Mar 25, 202422 min

Ep 16Using Data-Driven, In-Person Discussions to Support Outreach Clients

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, speaks with outreach solutions strategists Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton. They discuss how an outreach program can work with its customers on process improvements by using periodic visits and data-driven discussions. Specific topics of discussion include:Strategies for having effective customer performance update meetings.What service elements, operational tasks, and specimen processing functions should be reviewed in a customer performance update report.How to use client visits to help establish a collaborative partner relationship rather than a customer-vendor relationship.

Feb 26, 202419 min

Ep 15Conveying the Value of the Hospital Laboratory

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, talks with Erin Hoffman, division director of hospital sales and services at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss the value of the hospital laboratory, the challenges and opportunities facing community labs today, and how to have impactful conversations with hospital leadership. Specific topics of discussion include:The greatest strengths and biggest challenges of a hospital or community-based laboratory.How keeping laboratory tests local benefits patients and drives revenue.How to effectively communicate the value of the hospital laboratory to executive leadership.

Jan 29, 202416 min

Ep 14Understanding Laboratory Regulations

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, talks with Shannon Bennett, director of regulatory affairs for the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic. They discuss the complex and changing environment of laboratory industry regulations. Specific topics of discussion include:Rules around remote work for pathologists.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed rule on laboratory-developed tests and how those changes might impact laboratories.Updates on reimbursement legislation, including the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) and the Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act (SALSA).What lab professionals can do to make sure their voices are heard on regulatory issues.

Dec 18, 202319 min

Ep 13Driving Change and Growth Through the Laboratory Sales Team

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, talks with vice president of sales and services John Heywood about the important role of sales within an outreach program. Specific topics of discussion include:How sales teams can elevate and grow laboratory outreach programs.Why organizations may be reluctant to hire salespersons, and how to make the case to retain or recruit them.How to partner with the sales team to drive change.The characteristics of a successful outreach salesperson.How to grow a career in laboratory sales.

Nov 20, 202321 min

Ep 12How to Create a Positive Customer Experience

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, talks with outreach solutions strategists Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton about creating a positive customer service experience in the outreach laboratory. Specific topics of discussion include:First steps in establishing a strong long-term relationship with customers.The key players involved in building the customer service experience.The importance of high-functioning information technology systems.Lessons learned from onboarding new outreach labs.

Oct 30, 202320 min

Ep 11Marketing Strategies and Considerations for the Outreach Laboratory

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, talks with Andrew Tofilon, director of marketing at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. They discuss integrated marketing strategies for the outreach laboratory. Specific topics of discussion include:Aligning marketing tactics with the target audience.Considerations when choosing digital versus print tactics.Leveraging the brand of the laboratory’s larger organization.The role that health system marketing leadership can play in promoting the laboratory.How to add a lab angle to every clinical story.

Sep 25, 202323 min

Ep 10Safeguarding Specimen Integrity and Managing the Unexpected

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, talks with Nikola Baumann, Ph.D., co-director of the Central Clinical Laboratory and Central Processing Laboratory at Mayo Clinic. They discuss specimen challenges that may arise within an outreach laboratory and strategies for quality management. Specific topics of discussion include:Quality management methods for high-volume and automated laboratories.Assessing and maintaining specimen integrity.Handling unexpected situations and tips for effective communication with clients.

Aug 21, 202319 min

Ep 9Maintaining Quality Within an Outreach Program

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, talks with quality management coordinator Kate Pearce about optimizing preanalytic quality for specimens received from outreach laboratory customers. Specific topics of discussion include: What to consider when monitoring the quality of preanalytic specimens, and which quality measures to monitor. How to reduce lost or mislabeled specimens. The most common errors encountered during the preanalytic phase, and how to work with customers to reduce those errors. Lessons learned from managing operational quality.

Jul 24, 202317 min

Ep 8Dissecting industry trends

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, talks with outreach solutions strategists Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton about industry trends. In the past year, the health care industry has faced many challenges, especially in the laboratory. From staffing concerns and increased costs to compliance and leadership support, the hosts dig deeper into:The top trends and challenges in the industry.Tips to keep your outreach program in step with the changing times.

Jun 19, 202322 min

Ep 7KPIs: If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, talks with outreach solutions strategists Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton about key performance indicators (KPIs). KPIs for a laboratory department should include outreach-specific KPIs, which can be used to support process improvement efforts and communicate the value and success of an outreach program. During the discussion, they cover:Why KPIs are important to the laboratory.Specific KPIs for outreach that can be particularly meaningful.How KPIs can be applied to process improvement initiatives to impact patient care.

May 22, 202325 min

Ep 6Best practices for managing outreach supplies

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, talks with outreach solutions strategists Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton about supplies. Having appropriate supplies is the critical first step in collecting and preserving specimens. During the discussion, Ellen and Brianne give insight on:How to manage, deliver, and monitor supplies for outreach customers.How to maintain regulatory compliance.Best practices to consider for effective supply management.

Apr 17, 202321 min

Ep 5Why laboratory professionals should embrace the spotlight during Lab Week

On this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager, returns with outreach solutions strategists Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton to chat about National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, April 23–29. During the discussion, they weigh in on:How the weeklong celebration spotlights the impact laboratory professionals have on patient care.Ways to get out of the “basement mentality.”Why internal and external promotion of the laboratory matters.Their recommendations on how to celebrate with laboratory leaders, colleagues, and clients.

Mar 20, 202314 min

Ep 4How to grow your career in outreach management

On this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, sits down with outreach solutions strategists Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton to delve deeper into the world of outreach program management. As true pioneers of the department at Mayo Clinic, Ellen and Brianne share their robust knowledge and experience on the journey to becoming an outreach leader.

Feb 20, 202323 min

Ep 3Making sense of an ever-changing regulatory environment

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, and Shannon Bennett, director of regulatory affairs for Mayo Clinic’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, discuss the ever-changing regulatory environment, its impact on outreach laboratories, and how lab staff can best stay on top of changing laboratory regulations.

Jan 16, 202315 min

Ep 2Fostering an effective courier relationship

In this episode of the "Leveraging the Laboratory" podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, discusses courier options and logistics with outreach colleagues Brianne Newton and Ellen Dijkman Dulkes. They highlight what needs to be considered when choosing a courier service and how to leverage the courier partnership so it adds value to your outreach lab.

Nov 28, 202222 min

Ep 1The evolution of laboratory outreach

In the inaugural episode of the "Leveraging the Laboratory" podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by outreach colleagues Brianne Newton and Ellen Dijkman Dulkes. They discuss their laboratory backgrounds, the history and importance of laboratory outreach, and how their work can support the growth of hospital laboratories.

Oct 31, 202213 min