TY - JOUR T1 - Improving Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality in the 21<sup>st</sup> Century—Competencies Required of Future Medical Laboratory Science Practitioners JF - American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science JO - Clin Lab Sci SP - 200 LP - 204 DO - 10.29074/ascls.26.4.200 VL - 26 IS - 4 AU - Susan Morris AU - Catherine N. Otto AU - Karen Golemboski Y1 - 2013/10/01 UR - http://hwmaint.clsjournal.ascls.org/content/26/4/200.abstract N2 - Describe the IOM competencies practitioners need in order to deliver quality healthcare.Identify methods to integrate evidence-based medicine for improving healthcare safety into the MLS curricula.Describe exercises to employ in MLS curricula to develop problem-solving skills required for participation in quality improvement projects.Identify key aspects of delivering patient-centered care to include in MLS curricula.Healthcare quality has yet to meet the aims of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) with respect to safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness, efficiency, timeliness and equity. No professional curricula adequately prepare future healthcare practitioners—including medical laboratory science professionals—with all competencies necessary to deliver quality healthcare. Practicing evidence-based medicine, focusing on quality improvement, using information technology, delivering patient-centered care and working as part of interdisciplinary teams are identified by the IOM as the five core competencies that every healthcare practitioner needs to effectively provide healthcare. Medical laboratory science educators need to incorporate patient safety concepts into the curricula and include assignments to develop the IOM competencies in order to adequately prepare future practitioners to effectively practice medical laboratory science in the healthcare system of the 21st century.ABBREVIATIONS: IOM - Institute of Medicine, MLS - Medical Laboratory Science/Scientist, MLT - Medical Laboratory Technician, NAACLS - National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, POC - Point of Care, RN - Registered Nurse ER -