Laboratory Administration: Vendor Relationships
Continuing Education Credits
This course describes the importance of proper vendor relationships and policies in the clinical laboratory. The general characteristics of several types of vendor (supplier) relationships are compared and contrasted, as well as a basic overview of methods for the evaluation and selection of vendors. Management of vendor relationships is detailed, including tips for building and maintaining strong vendor relationships which are discussed in detail, as are ethical considerations. Finally, three laboratory case presentations are provided in an effort to point out vendor relationship issues for further discussion by the participant.
Objectives
- Review the importance of proper vendor relationships and policy to the clinical laboratory.
- Compare and contrast the general characteristics of six types of vendor (supplier) relationships commonly encountered in laboratory work.
- Describe methods for the evaluation and selection of vendors, as well as the ongoing management of vendor relationships.
- List ways to build and maintain strong relationships with vendors.
- Recognize ethical considerations when working with vendors.
- Summarize the vendor relationship issues encountered in three laboratory case presentations.
Course Outline
- Importance of Proper Vendor Relationships to the Clinical Laboratory
- Introduction
- The Laboratory Quality Management System: ISO 15189
- Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
- Implementing a Policy Regulating Relationships with Vendors
- Which of the following statements is true regarding ISO 15189?
- Which of the following statements is not true related to CLIA?
- Implementation of a policy regulating relationships with vendors is highly recommended. To whom might such a policy apply?
- General Characteristics of Vendor (Supplier) Relationship Types
- Types of Vendor Relationships
- Arms-Length
- Partnership
- Just-in-Time
- Strategic Alliances
- Buyer-Supplier Network
- Outsourcing/Subcontracting
- Which of the following represents the meaning of an arms-length vendor relationship?
- Which of the following is true regarding a just-in-time vendor relationship?
- Which of the following statements is true regarding an outsourcing/subcontracting vendor relationship?
- Evaluation, Selection, and Management
- Vendor Checklist
- Evaluation of Potential Vendors
- Selection of a Vendor
- Management of the Vendor Relationship
- Recalls
- Which of the following would not be appropriate for inclusion in a vendor checklist?
- In which of the following operations would the use of a standardized template/bid grid be helpful?
- In the management of the vendor relationship, which of the following ongoing potential vendor management items might apply with respect to contract employees, referral laboratories, IT systems, products (supplies/reagents), or any type of subcontracted work?
- Building and Maintaining Strong Relationships with Vendors
- Tips to Follow
- Communicate
- Pay Promptly
- Provide Adequate Lead Times
- Refer Your Vendor to Colleagues
- Set Realistic Goals
- Learn to be Honest
- Ask for Referrals from Partners
- What is probably the first and most important tip in building and maintaining strong relationships with vendors?
- What does it mean to "learn to be honest" when building and maintaining strong relationships with vendors?
- Regarding the tip, "pay promptly", as a way to build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, which of the following statements below is false?
- Ethical Considerations
- Institutional Policies, Rules, Regulations
- Nepotism
- Gifts/Bribes
- Which of the following statements is true regarding nepotism?
- Which of the following is an example of a vendor gift that is not allowed in the laboratory or institutional setting?
- Which of the following statements is false regarding vendor relationships?
- Three Laboratory Case Presentations
- Recognizing Vendor Relationship Issues
- Blood Bank Case Presentation
- In the blood bank case presentation, what was the vendor relationship issue, and how was it resolved?
- Immunochemical Testing Case Presentation
- In the case presentation on immunochemical testing, how was the vendor relationship tweaked to improve patient care?
- Chemistry Case Presentation
- In the chemistry case presentation, what one thing might have contributed most to the prevention of this recall?
- References
- References
Additional Information
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory
technicians, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory managers. This course is
also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Dr. Julie Ann West is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and as a Specialist in Microbiology (SM). In addition, Dr. West has earned a PhD in Public Health - Epidemiology Specialization (emphasis on infectious disease) - and is Certified in Public Health (CPH) by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dr. West is experienced as a Technical Specialist, Safety Officer, Educator, and Lead in the Veterans Administration Healthcare System, and has prior experience as an Administrative Laboratory Director. Dr. West also has extensive experience as a certified Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Level II for the Veterans Administration.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewers:
Sheryl A. Whitlock, MA.Ed, MLS(ASCP)BB is the owner of ARK Laboratory Consulting, LLC. Sheryl served as the laboratory coordinator for the Student Health Services Laboratory at the University of Delaware for 15 years. Sheryl received a Master of Arts Degree in Education from Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania. She has more than 35 years of experience in laboratory science and has written and published textbooks and laboratory manuals as well as having contributed to numerous online and print articles in the field of laboratory medicine.
Joshua J. Cannon, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM received his Bachelor
of Science and Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas
Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds Medical Laboratory Scientist
and Specialist in Hematology certifications through the ASCP Board of
Certification. He was a professor at Thomas Jefferson University for seven
years before transitioning into his current role as Education Developer at
MediaLab by Vastian. His areas of expertise and professional passions include
clinical hematology and interprofessional education.
Course Description: This course describes the importance of proper vendor relationships and policies in the clinical laboratory. The general characteristics of several types of vendor (supplier) relationships are compared and contrasted, as well as a basic overview of methods for the evaluation and selection of vendors. Management of vendor relationships is detailed, including tips for building and maintaining strong vendor relationships and ethical considerations. Finally, three laboratory case presentations are provided in an effort to point out vendor relationship issues for further discussion by the participant.