The concept of the “Patient Centered Medical Home” (PCMH) has the potential to transform the healthcare delivery experience for both patients and providers alike. Originating in the 1960s, it is now experiencing an increase in application.

As the laboratory is part of the PCMH “neighborhood” and lab testing is often directive of more costly downstream care, opportunities exist for lab personnel to take the lead in establishing practices aligned with PCMH standards. This white paper reviews challenges facing physician office laboratories (POLs) seeking PCMH integration, and offers three key approaches for integrating the laboratory into the PCMH model:

• Controlling test utilization;
• Identifying risks and controls for all phases of laboratory testing including pre-analytic, analytic and post analytic;
• Coordinating lab results among primary care providers, other providers in the PCMH “neighborhood,” and the patient.