ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF CLINICAL AND LABORATORY ACTIVITIES - POSSIBILITIES AND PERSPECTIVES OF OPTIMIZATION

“Clinical Laboratory” is an independent medical specialty, a dynamic clinical discipline of a scientific and applied nature. Laboratory researches, the results of which are objective indicators of the state of the organism, are of great importance in terms of modern medicine. Laboratory analyses help to achieve, within certain limits, such a result that can be used for the purpose of making the necessary medical decisions. “Laboratory Medicine” is a complex specialty, covering different directions: clinical chemistry, laboratory haematology, immunology, immunohematology, biology, drug monitoring and laboratory toxicology. A wide varietyof techniques is used for the analysis of biological fluids, the composition and properties of different types of cells, tissues, organs and systems.According to World Health Organization (WHO)data, in the past 20 years, the rate of morbidity within the population of nosologic units requiring high technologies and accuracy of diagnostic tests has increased. Modern revolution in clinical medicine complicates research methods and, as a result, increases significantly their value and cost.Laboratory units are widely considered to determine the status of each national healthcare system. Effectiveness of laboratory diagnostic process can be ensured by two key elements – high-tech equipment and professional staff. A need exists for identifying and using internal reserves with a view to the optimization of work volume and structures of laboratory and diagnostic units, being a promising and the most realisticdirection in the contemporary socio-economic situation.The mission of Clinical Laboratory departments is focused both on the provision of fast, adequate and accurate medical-diagnostic assistance, as well as on making effective use of any available material and technical resources and personnel potential. The problem being studied, its importance and the analysis of Clinical Laboratory activity are an essential component of the vision for this activity: high quality of clinical and laboratory results, timely and accurate diagnosis, adequate, timely and effective medical decisions.Main activities such as management; documentation of researches assigned and carried out; financial and economic aspects related to the valuation of laboratory analyses; tracking cost and available options for their optimization; reasonable time reduction for the production of laboratory analyses; introducing new high-performance technological equipment to improve the quality of laboratory activities and optimize the healing process have been researched and analysed in the Clinical Laboratory of “Kanev” University Multi-Profile Hospital for Active Treatment, Ruse.