Flatlay of chemistry lab safety rules and various glassware on a table.

How to Write an SOP That Works in the Real World

Article, Competency, Document Control, Laboratory / Henry Rogland

A well-run laboratory can have every compliance box checked including approved procedures, signed acknowledgments, and a complete document library. Unfortunately, this also means you can observe staff defaulting to workarounds the moment the inspector leaves. When that happens, the problem usually isn’t motivation or discipline but often the SOP itself. Most procedure documents are written […]

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Desk elements like calendar and pins for effective planning.

The Link Between Fair Scheduling and Employee Retention

Article, CAP Compliance & Inspection Readiness, Scheduling / Henry Rogland

With the ever-present threat of departing healthcare employees, employee retention in healthcare and laboratory environments will become even more important than it is now. There are many reasons for this including burnout, decreased levels of job satisfaction, and long working hours and while these factors are important, one operational element consistently shapes how employees experience

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Overtime, Understaffing, and Labor Laws: Staying Compliant with Scheduling

Leave a Comment / Article, Scheduling / Henry Rogland

In today’s healthcare landscape, clinical laboratories face mounting pressures to deliver accurate results swiftly, often with limited staffing and tight budgets. While striving for efficiency, it’s imperative to ensure that scheduling practices remain compliant with labor laws and accreditation standards. Failure to do so can lead to legal repercussions, compromised patient care, and diminished staff

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Close-up of a laboratory test tube rack with colorful chemical solutions, emphasizing scientific research.

The Twice-Yearly QC Review: The Most Forgotten CLIA Requirement

Leave a Comment / Article, CAP Compliance & Inspection Readiness, Competency / Henry Rogland

Most labs are vigilant about running daily quality control. But what about the big picture? CLIA requires labs performing non-waived testing to conduct a formal, documented review of QC records at least twice a year. This is not optional and failing to do it is one of the most frequently cited deficiencies during inspections. The

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Close-up of a scientist examining samples under a microscope in a lab setting.

The Hidden Deficiency: Undocumented Test System Failures

Leave a Comment / Article, CAP Compliance & Inspection Readiness, Competency / Henry Rogland

Test system failures happen. It’s how your lab responds to them that determines whether you stay compliant or end up with a citation. According to CLIA and CAP, labs must document every test system failure, investigate the root cause, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). But some labs either fail to document these incidents

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The Hidden Costs of Laboratory Burnout: Impact on Employees, Managers, and the Bottom Line

Leave a Comment / Article / Henry Rogland

Laboratory professionals are at the heart of healthcare, but their growing workload and high-stakes responsibilities come at a cost. Burnout in clinical labs doesn’t just affect morale—it has hidden financial and operational consequences that impact both frontline employees and managers. Understanding these costs and how to address them is critical for maintaining an efficient, high-performing

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clinical workforce management