ASCP DLM case studies
ASCP DLM · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Diplomate in Laboratory Management (DLM) is a professional credential for laboratory professionals who have moved - or are moving - from bench and technical roles into managerial responsibility. Rather than testing analytical or diagnostic knowledge, it assesses whether a candidate can run a laboratory: set direction, control costs, design reliable workflows, manage people, maintain quality, satisfy regulators, steward information systems, and plan strategically. The ASCP DLM case studies are 5 cases and about 2,507 words.
1Send-Out Versus In-House Vitamin D Testing
Your 210-bed community hospital laboratory sends out 25-hydroxyvitamin D: 240 tests per month at a send-out charge of 16.40 per test; the hospital is reimbursed 21.00. The chemistry supervisor proposes bringing the test in-house.
547 words, about 3 min2Stat Troponin Turnaround Time
The core laboratory's stat troponin median TAT is 68 minutes (90th percentile 94 minutes) against a 60-minute target; 52 stat troponins arrive evenly between 07:00 and 19:00. Step medians are: order to draw 12 minutes, transport 9, accession and centrifuge 6, analyzer 10, technologist review 14, and result release 2.
531 words, about 3 min3Sigma Metrics and QC Design
At the monthly QC review, the chemistry director presents the following method performance from the previous 20 days: glucose TEa 10.0%, bias +1.2%, CV 1.8%; creatinine TEa 15.0%, bias +2.8%, CV 4.6%; sodium TEa 4.0%, bias +0.8%, CV 1.0%. The laboratory currently applies a single 1:3s rule with two QC levels to all three analytes.
484 words, about 2 min4Night Shift Vacancy and Overtime
A 24/7 core laboratory needs two technologists on site 16 hours per day, 365 days per year-11,680 productive hours. Each FTE provides 1,850 productive hours after vacation, holidays, sick leave, and education.
477 words, about 2 min5Self-Inspection Findings Three Weeks Before Survey
During a CAP self-inspection three weeks before the biennial survey, you find four issues: (1) a technologist hired 10 months ago has no documented 6-month competency assessment; (2) the chemistry analyzer's calibration verification was last performed 8 months ago, although the manufacturer requires it every 6 months; (3) the refrigerator temperature log is missing four days in the past month and there is no documented corrective action; (4) a corrected potassium result was reported to the ED but no clinician notification was documented. The laboratory performs 1.4 million tests annually and has a written quality management plan.
468 words, about 2 min