The learning department, Part two

Whether you want to move deliberately toward becoming a learning department or not, the kind of organization that is described here is probably appealing and a little frightening. The staff is more self-reliant, there is a higher level of motivation, communication is more open, there is a dedication to continuous improvement, and there is more intentional, "smart" risk-taking. At the beginning of our last column ("The Learning Department, Part One"), we listed the five trends that we believe will shape the clinical laboratory of the future: 1. increased automation and the attendant reduction and shift in the technical skills required 2. chronic shortages of qualified staff 3. changes in the legislation that affects credentialing and regulation 4. expanded uses of molecular diagnostics 5. emergence of the lab as a major contributor to the hospital's bottom line. It is hard to imagine surviving these turbulent trends without instilling many of the characteristics of a learning department in your organization. What are the most important steps to take? Open communications, schedule debriefs to learn from your experiences, and stay curious!