April Chair's Message, ASCP Council of Laboratory Professionals by E. Susan Cease, MT(ASCP)

I recently talked with one of the laboratory information specialists at my hospital; you know, one of the “computer gurus.” He was getting ready to attend a conference and commented that he was ready to quit his job until he attended the same conference last year. That comment really got my attention. Why would one conference make such a difference?

Simply put, it was the right conference at the right time. It met his needs at that moment; providing specific focus, applicable information, networking, and the opportunity to compare notes and problem solve with colleagues nationwide. He returned with renewed enthusiasm, concrete solutions for project roadblocks, and a sense that the grass is not always greener elsewhere.

Focus: Leadership Development

I saw the same renewed enthusiasm and excitement in the laboratory professionals attending the 2008 Leadership Exchange in San Francisco last month. The mix was perfect; with interesting sessions, a terrific location, and active participation. I couldn’t get in an elevator without hearing a buzz about the relevancy of the material presented—relevant information that they could take home and immediately apply to their laboratories.

We focused on developing leadership in the laboratory, with topics ranging from conflict resolution to analyzer selection. The term “leadership” usually makes us think of managers and supervisors, but sessions are designed for managers and staff alike. Developing competency tools, maintaining a legally compliant environment, and understanding document control are part of every laboratorian’s job description. Workplace conflict is another issue that certainly impacts both managers and staff.

A new concept introduced this year was the X-Session, an X-Files-style program where a panel of “X-perts” offered solutions to audience-provided “unsolved mysteries.” Afterwards, audience members were invited to share their solutions. It quickly became apparent that a handful of problems are fairly universal. If you want to learn about those problems and how other organizations solve them, plan to attend next year’s ASCP X-Session. Better yet, check your own “X-files” and see if there is one you want to dust off and submit for solution.

Seven Keys to Quality

ASCP is noted for its quality education; and Jim Westgard, PhD, of Westgard Rules and Multirule QC is legendary for his contributions to quality laboratory medicine. A wonderful speaker with a story to tell, Dr. Westgard tells it with grace, humility, and humor.

His article, “Quality is Everyone’s Job,” was published in 1974 and he has been pursuing quality ever since. Dr. Westgard takes a common-sense approach to quality comprised of seven keys: Learn from your work, pursue your problems, care for quality, tell the truth, care for compliance, seek a better future, and be thankful for what you have.

Some of my favorite “take-aways” from Dr. Westgard’s presentation include:

• Quality—if you don’t know what it is how can you determine if you have it?
• Benchmarking versus accuracy—be careful not to measure yourself against people doing poorly.
• Quality provides the framework of values and beliefs that will guide our actions. It will put us in touch with things that matter.
• The meaning of method evaluation: it’s all about the errors. “Statistics provide estimates of errors upon which judgment can be made but they are not a substitute for judgment.”
• As the world of laboratory medicine becomes increasingly complex, some people believe it is harder to know what quality is. Dr. Westgard believes the truth about quality is simply this: The truth (allowable error), the whole truth (precision and accuracy), and nothing but the truth (quality).

In his presentation, Dr. Westgard articulated something I also feel strongly about, “Education is a mechanism for change.” Education comes in many forms, but “The brain, like a parachute, is only effective when open.” A gathering of dedicated and motivated laboratory professionals, like the 2008 Leadership Exchange, offers the opportunity to recharge your batteries and refresh your problem solving skills; but there is one caveat—you have to attend.