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Success Story
Optimizing Efficiency for Independent Labs
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Success Story Snapshot
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Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics partnered with ELLKAY to scale its rapidly growing outreach business through streamlined electronic ordering, results delivery, and tailored EHR connectivity. ELLKAY’s flexible, rapidly deployed platform helped Louisiana’s largest independent pathology group improve efficiency, protect revenue, and support continued expansion.
Organization Overview
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Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics is the largest independent pathology group in Louisiana with over 420 associates. They offer clients fast turnaround times on anatomic pathology (AP) cases, full sub-specialty slide reading of AP cases, local-based ownership and focus, access to their “IDN network”, heavy investment in information technology and other infrastructure to maximize their service capabilities, and unmatched size and scale in their region. They service more than 140 hospitals and other healthcare institutions across Louisiana, along with facilities in Mississippi and Eastern Texas. Their size and scale, with 50 pathologists currently, allows them to offer services to clients which are best-in-class, not only in Louisiana but across the country.
$187K
approx. saved on employee expenses
75%
increase in patient responsibility payments
45%
increase in Outreach CP volumes
The Challenge
An Order & Results Platform to Scale
As Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics expanded, they faced a challenge: providing clients a streamlined way to order tests without relying exclusively on a direct interface. Transitioning from a hospital lab to a full-service outreach lab, they needed to rapidly scale by 45-50% to accommodate their growth. To maintain stability and support ongoing expansion, they required a platform to optimize operations and drive organizational growth.
“ELLKAY provided us the ability to grow exponentially with rapid and accurate testing to our communities... their assistance was essential to our success during the pandemic.”
Melonie Falcon
CEO
The Solution
Smooth Install, Growth Ready
Deploying ELLKAY’s lab ordering and results platform was straightforward: clinician office staff completed user forms and only needed internet connection to access the web-based application, save it to their desktop, and access their client account. This process was both easy and efficient for users to follow and adopt. ELLKAY’s Client Service Representatives provided training for the staff once the account was created and platform implemented. As Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics expanded their in-house test menu, ELLKAY seamlessly created new tests, added reference ranges, included required test comments, and uploaded these updates to client test directories. The Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics team quickly mastered the system, and with ELLKAY’s dedicated support, they implemented the platform smoothly and efficiently.
Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics is actively advancing into the future, driving forward with bold process improvements. Fully validated in digital pathology, they recently launched their proprietary, cloud-hosted LIS system, transitioning all network functionality from local hardware to the cloud. Additionally, they are completing a new state-of-the-art laboratory that, for the first time, will unite all departments on a single campus—strengthening collaboration and operational excellence.
Currently, Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics is focused on utilizing this platform to deploy electronic order entry for their AP clients who are not directly interfaced. ELLKAY’s customization based on tissue type allows Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics toincorporate the necessary patient history and data to process specimens. This transformative step enables Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics to streamline accession staffing on the AP side. Next, they’ll connect several major clients to the platform, allowing billing data to flow seamlessly into their billing platform. This advancement will reduce data entry needs, lower error rates, and increase collection efficiency.
“ELLKAY’s staff is phenomenal. They take the time to understand our company’s objectives and goals and provide opportunities for a successful partnership.”
- Melanie Falcon, CEO, Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics
The ELLKAY Effect
Connectivity Tailored to Their Needs
In 2015, Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics partnered with ELLKAY to streamline electronic order entry and results retrieval through the Clinical Pathology (CP) platform, significantly boosting their outreach volume. As clients sought electronic orders and interfaces compatible with their EHRs, ELLKAY’s CP platform stood out for its swift deployment, intuitive design, and customizable features. Key highlights included ABN initiation based on ICD-10 codes to secure laboratory payments, seamless EHR interfacing, and flexible report options – available on-demand or as scheduled reports, tailored to each client’s needs.
With the ELLKAY platform, Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics can access a variety of customizable reports to meet CLIA, CAP, and billing requirements, including those for physicians, test utilization, CPT coding, ICD10 coding, and ABN volumes. “ELLKAY’s staff is phenomenal. They take the time to understand our company’s objectives and goals and provide opportunities for a successful partnership,” said Melonie Falcon, CEO of Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics. Adjustments and enhancements to the application were easy to accomplish and deployed quickly, making it user-friendly and customizable to the customer’s needs and meeting Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics’ specific requirements.
The Impact
Transforming Workflows, Strengthening Outcomes
ELLKAY helped Delta Pathology + Omega Diagnostics create a more connected, efficient laboratory environment. Streamlined ordering, EHR connectivity, automated ABNs, and customizable reporting improved workflows, supported revenue capture, and enhanced the client experience.
Reduced Expenses
Saved approximately $187,200 in employee-related expenses.
Simplified Laboratory Workflows
Developed a barcode system to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
Increased Payments
Boosted patient responsibility payments by 75% through improved processes and notifications.
Enhanced Reporting Capabilities
Enabled customizable reporting for billing requirements, testing utilization, and other operational needs.
Expanded CP Volumes
Increased Outreach Clinical Pathology (CP) volumes by 45%.
Automated ABN & Notifications
Automated ABN generation and out-of-pocket expense notifications to support revenue capture and improve patient communication.
