Conversion Assistance

ARUP understands the challenges associated with converting from one reference laboratory to another and endeavors to assist new government clients make the transition from their former provider. ARUP provides conversion assistance in the form of client support specialists, interface-implementation support, baseline testing, parallel testing, and training. Your local business development manager and federal accounts manager will coordinate with you to prepare a specific conversion plan and timeline customized for your site.

Client Support Specialists

ARUP’s client support specialists are unique in that they are trained ARUP specimen processors who understand what is required to get samples through ARUP’s accessioning area as quickly and efficiently as possible. They use this knowledge to train new and existing clients on how to prepare samples for prompt accessioning. They are available for new client startups and new and existing system-to-system interface startups. As part of ARUP’s ongoing quality assurance program, the client support specialists track client sample submission trends. A monthly report is generated and is shared with clients and ARUP business development managers. If a government client receives a greater than average number of sample submission issues, a government client support specialist may be requested to visit the government client for additional training. These visits provide ARUP with the ability to see client processes at work and discover, first hand, reasons for specimen submission problems. The specialist is then able to work on an individual basis with each client in order to improve processes.

Interface Implementation Support

ARUP’s Interface Support Team installs new interfaces and provides ongoing support for established interfaces. An interface support specialist is assigned to each interface project and works directly with the government client and their LIS vendor for the duration of the project. The interface support specialist provides necessary procedure directory information, answers all related questions, provides test plans and scripts for interface validation, and works with the LIS vendor and the client to help solve communication problems or other issues during the interface implementation phase.

Baseline Testing

Certain laboratory tests are repeated over time to monitor disease progression or reoccurrence (e.g., tumor markers). Because of method variations, there may be a need to establish patient baseline levels for testing being converted to ARUP.

ARUP offers new clients the opportunity to baseline specific patients at no charge for a defined period. The frequency of testing will be determined by the historical frequency for the patient being baselined and the specific pathology being monitored.

Parallel Testing

When methodology validation is required as part of the conversion process, ARUP will perform parallel testing up to a maximum of 15 split-sample comparisons per assay for assays performed in-house by ARUP, depending on specimen availability and test complexity. The results of these blind sample comparisons will be shared with ARUP so that both ARUP and government clients can learn from the split-sample comparisons.

ARUP may perform these split-sample comparisons at no charge as long as patients are not billed for the free testing provided by ARUP, and the cumulative value of testing performed in a defined 12-month period, based on test price, does not exceed the lesser of 1 percent of the government client spend for services during the designated 12-month period preceding the reques or $10,000. Each defined 12-month period will commence on the anniversary of the effective date of this agreement.

ARUP reserves the right to consider extraordinary requests on a case-by-case basis and may negotiate separate terms. Such requests may include but are not limited to: complex tests, tests for uncommon diseases, and samples that because of the critical stability or the rarity of the sample may not be readily available.

Training

ARUP will provide on-site training and support for all employees who will process, order, package, and ship specimens to ARUP.

Additional Information

For more information, please visit www.gsaadvantage.gov.

Disclaimer

This information is presented for informational purporses only. Any inconsistancies shall be governed by contract V797P-7211a.