NOVEMBER 2024
QUALITY & LAB STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
Advancing Quality and Stewardship Across Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
As we look back on Fiscal Year 2024, it’s exciting to reflect on the synergy between our Quality Improvement and Laboratory Stewardship programs. Both initiatives have been instrumental in driving enhancements in patient care, operational efficiency, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the department.
We are pleased to announce that Maria Estrada, MHA, PMP, has joined our team as the new Program manager for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Laboratory Stewardship, and Quality Improvement programs. Maria will be working alongside Monique Trinh and the program leads to lead these efforts and further expand our impact across the department. Her expertise in project management and dedication to quality improvement will be instrumental as we continue to drive forward key initiatives and streamline processes to enhance laboratory efficiency and patient care outcomes.
Laboratory Stewardship Updates
The Laboratory Stewardship Task Force (LSTF), led by Co-Chairs Dr. Allison Chambliss, Dr. Josh Deignan, and Alexander Martin, PA (ASCP), MHA, and Dr. Omai Garner, Vice Chair of Clinical Laboratory Affairs, continues its mission to improve the appropriateness, value, and efficiency of lab testing throughout the health system. From policy revisions that streamline workflows to new clinical decision support tools that reduce unnecessary testing, we are setting the standard for excellence and stewardship.
We are excited to launch our new Laboratory Stewardship Program webpage, which provides an overview of the program and its structure, recent accomplishments, and resources for clinicians. Please visit the webpage for the latest updates and information on how you can get involved.
Key Lab Stewardship Ongoing Projects and Accomplishments
THANK YOU to the members of LSTF and other collaborators both within and outside of the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine for their time and efforts that have contributed to the success of these initiatives! (Click the graphic to expand)
Highlights
Two abstracts presented at the PLUGS Summit held in Seattle, WA in June 2024:
- Chambliss A, Deignan J, Isip C, Martin A, Trinh M, Visico M, Were W, Ziman. Reducing “Miscellaneous” Referral Test Orders at an Academic Medical Center. (Best Abstract Award)
- Deignan J, Chambliss A, Rapoport S, Cheng E. An Automated EMR Workflow to Facilitate Genetic Consultation and Review of Inpatient Genetic Test Requests at UCLA.
Two articles published in ADLM’s Clinical Laboratory News:
- “How a Program Manager Aligns Quality Improvement, Laboratory Stewardship, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine” (Monique Trinh and Dr. Allison Chambliss)
- "Implementation of an automated EMR workflow to facilitate genetic consultation and review of inpatient genetic test requests" (Dr. Josh Deignan)
Quality Improvement Updates
As we continue to build a culture of quality within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, our Quality Improvement (QI) Program stands at the forefront of driving impactful, sustainable changes. This past year, we have not only expanded our QI efforts but also fostered critical interdisciplinary collaborations that transcend departmental silos, enhancing our ability to deliver superior patient care and operational excellence.
The QI Co-Chairs and program managers are leading the charge in building a robust QI infrastructure and ensuring that projects are aligned with both our strategic objectives and the department’s long-term vision. We are excited to welcome the Point of Care Testing Optimization project to the roster of QLC projects (click the graphic to expand):
Key QI Program Accomplishments:
- Project Portfolio Growth: We now manage multiple projects across various stages, with 8 QLC projects, 8+ Q-CEP projects, and 5 QUIC projects in active development. This expansion showcases the department’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.
- Collaborative Successes: Our QI program has fostered 8 active partnerships with external stakeholders in the UCLA Health organization, allowing us to tackle complex, cross-departmental challenges through a unified approach.
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Quality Improvement Toolkit: We are developing a comprehensive toolkit to provide clinicians and staff with resources to apply QI science methods effectively, supporting the testing of interventions and enhancing data analysis capabilities.
On October 2, 2024, the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Informatics, Laboratory Stewardship, Quality Improvement, and Wellness leaders met for their inaugural Strategic Alignment Meeting. Together, they identified mutual challenges and cocreated solutions by identifying cross-program collaboration opportunities to do what’s right, make things better, and be kind. They look forward to cultivating a cohesive, collaborative, and functional environment where all the programs work synergistically to improve patient care, advance health equity, and enhance the quality of outcomes across UCLA and beyond.
Looking ahead, we aim to expand our reach even further. In FY25, our focus will be on refining processes, scaling successful projects, and integrating new initiatives to ensure sustained progress. The foundation we’ve built positions us to continue leading in laboratory stewardship and quality improvement across UCLA Health.
In honor of Veterans Day, we would like to thank our Department veterans and active duty military/reserve members! We appreciate your service to our country and to our patients by providing leading-edge patient care, research, and education. It is an honor to feature our department veterans.
Gregory Gates, DO
Dr. Gates served 14 years in the United States Navy, mostly stationed out of San Diego, CA. After a surgery internship at Naval Medical Center, San Diego (NMCSD), he was embedded with a Marine Corps infantry battalion for two years as a general medical officer with a combat deployment to Iraq in 2007. He was then stationed on a Navy ship (USS Comstock), with another trip to the Middle East in 2009. Once his time as a general medical officer was complete, he entered pathology residency at NMCSD, where he finished his career at the rank of Commander in 2018. His favorite places he visited were Singapore, the Maldives, and India. Thank you for your service, Dr. Gates!
From now until December 6, 2024, we are calling on all donors to help UCLA WIN the "We Give Blood Drive" competition sponsored by Abbott Labs and The Big Ten!
Abbott Labs and The Big Ten have launched a conference-wide competition to help fight the largest blood shortage facing the U.S. in a generation. The process is easy! All you need to do is donate by December 6th and log your donation at Big Ten Conference. You will need to provide proof of your donation so make sure to take a selfie during or after your donation. For more information regarding the We Give Blood Drive click here.
Congratulations to Dr. Shaun Yang on being elected as the President of the Southern California Branch of American Society of Microbiology (SCASM)!! SCASM is the largest and oldest (88 years) professional microbiology organization in California.
Dr. Yang has been part of our Microbiology lab for many years, initially as a CLS and then as a faculty member. It has been a true pleasure to see his career progress and to watch him develop into the respected expert he is today.
We are very pleased to report that we have completed a successful CAP inspection of all our clinical labs! Our UCLA team worked extremely hard, over many weeks, to provide the inspection team with all the information they needed/requested.
Overall, the inspection team noted on multiple occasions how impressed they were with our team, our operations and the complexity of the work we do on a daily basis in our labs. Additionally, they commended our hospitality, teamwork, strong leadership and positive “vibe” throughout all laboratory sections.
Out of thousands of checklist items, the inspection team found a handful of deficiencies, many of which were corrected onsite. The inspectors had some suggestions for us and, as is typical for CAP inspections, there was a wonderful flow of information and ideas between the two teams, which will help our labs improve. I am so proud of how our team performed.
Passing a CAP inspection with such exemplary performance takes an entire team, and requires constant attention to quality and safety. Thank you to all our clinical laboratory staff – AP, LM, Outreach – for the work you do every day to keep us great and to take us to the next level of excellence. Thank you supervisors, managers and staff directors for your outstanding professionalism. Thank you Regulatory Affairs, for all your efforts to help us shine during all our inspections. Thank you faculty Medical Directors for your dedication, expertise and leadership in ensuring we do our part to heal humankind, one patient at a time.
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Informational Session
At the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) Informational Session held on October 7, 2024, we hosted over 60 students interested in healthcare, research, and lab work. At the event, they were learned more about the CLS profession and heard from the UCLA Immunogenetics Center! A special thanks to Eunice Lee, Maria Estrada, Monique Trinh, Andrew Tum, the UCLA Immunogenetics Center, and all those who participated to make for a successful event!
Grants, Publications, & National Recognition
The article provides an overview of our efforts to implement a CareConnect alert requiring Laboratory Medical Director consultation and approval for select inpatient genetic test requests.
ICPI supports awareness of the important roles played by pathologists in clinical practice and the many career opportunities available in the field of pathology through the Margaret Grimes Medical Student Interest Group Grants. Each grant provides $500 per academic year for unrestricted use in furthering medical student interest group activities. Recipients of the ICPI Medical Student Interest Group Grants also become part of a national cohort of leaders, who are invited to share best practices with each other through virtual forums organized by the ICPI Board.
The purpose of the Pathology Interest Group is to expand awareness and interest among students about the field of pathology, and to help them gain exposure to what a career in pathology entails, to encourage students to consider pathology as a career, to make connections with Pathology faculty and residents. The Interest Group's activities aim at increase awareness, increase interest in the field and to provide a structured forum to gain information about pathology as a career choice.
We hold workshops on microscopy, grossing pathological specimens, and shadowing opportunities with current UCLA pathology residents and attendings. We also review sessions on histology and pathology pertinent to Step 1 or Block materials to benefit not only those interested in pathology as a specialty, but as a service to all medical students reviewing for upcoming exams and Board evaluations.
We offer lunch talks titled "Introduction to Pathology", "Introduction to Dermatopathology", "Research in Pathology", and panels with UCLA residents in pathology, urology, and OB/GYN (and other specialties depending on the year) to share their advice and respective journeys in choosing their residencies, how to navigate and balance the demands of residency/fellowship, and how to shine as medical students during clerkships.
The grant is to support the activities of the Interest Group and any supplies needed to offer those activities.
- A cancer patient can require up to 2 units platelets/week
- An auto accident victim can use up to: 50 units red blood cells, 2 units of platelets, 10 units of plasma
- A heart surgery patient uses on average: 7 units red blood cells, 2units of platelets, 4 units of plasma
Clinical Seminar Series – Topic: Molecular
Jakob Kather, MD, MSc
TUD Dresden University of Technology
“Artificial Intelligence-Based Biomarkers in Precision Oncology”
Nima Mosammaparast, MD, PhD
