Dr. Ronald Weiss answers questions about reference labs
Ronald Weiss, MD, MBA, executive vice president of corporate communication at ARUP Laboratories, discusses the importance of reference laboratories, including how to select a laboratory and what to expect from a reference laboratory. Dr. Weiss writes that decisions regarding the selection of a reference laboratory partner should be based upon service quality and efficiency, communication, and financial value; a laboratory should provide its clients with timely and accurate results at a competitive price. Dr. Weiss concludes by stating that the decision to select a certain laboratory is time consuming and complex, and “for that reason, know your needs, know your options, and take the time necessary to make an informed decision.”
- Reference laboratories range from boutique, niche providers in very narrow specialty
areas (e.g., cytogenetics), to large, full-service reference laboratories and commercial laboratories. Each is an important
part of the value chain of pathology and laboratory medicine service delivery in U.S. healthcare. See more
(Medical Laboratory Observer. “Reference Labs: Who, What, Where, When and How?” January 2008.)