Introduction

The Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act and Ontario Regulation 682 define a Laboratory Director as, "a person who is responsible for the administration of the scientific and technical operation of a laboratory including the supervision of tests and the reporting of results of tests." Regulation 682 also lists the qualification of a Laboratory Director.

In its original mandate, the OAML's Quality Assurance Program was charged with defining appropriate roles for Private Laboratory Directors to affect positively utilization of laboratory services. The OAML Board has approved for inclusion in the job description of the Laboratory Director, the role statement respecting utilization management which follows.

Definition of Utilization Management

Utilization management is defined as the direction of efforts at the appropriate, efficient and effective utilization of laboratory services. It encourages, using all means available, clinically appropriate testing; it discourages, using the same means, testing which cannot be justified on clinical grounds.

Utilization Management entails the monitoring, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of a variety of information. It requires a knowledge of the utilization patterns of ordering physicians and identification of outliers; of epidemiological information and demographics; of utilization data on specific tests and of outcome indictors. It has an educational component, both within the laboratory and in dealings with client groups.

Role of the Laboratory Director in Utilization Management

A Laboratory Director is responsible for the establishment and monitoring of a comprehensive program of utilization management including, but not limited to :

•  assessment of the appropriateness of utilization patterns
•  the dissemination and interpretation of approved guidelines for clinical laboratory practice;
•  the maintenance of a program of continuing communication with ordering physicians to ensure  appropriate utilization.

Role of the OAML

Through its Quality Assurance of Clinical Laboratory Practice Program, the OAML has developed guidelines and patient education materials for ordering practitioners which support the role of the Laboratory Director.