PLUGS® (Patient-centered Laboratory Utilization Guidance Services) is a laboratory stewardship collaborative with a mission to improve laboratory test access, ordering, retrieval, interpretation and reimbursement. PLUGS was co-founded in 2013 by Mike Astion, Jane Dickerson, and Jessie Conta and is led by a team of experts within Seattle Children’s Hospital & University of Washington who serve as the quarterback for the collaborative in support of the mission. While initially focused on pediatrics, PLUGS membership quickly expanded to include a variety of stakeholders and is a national leader in laboratory stewardship education, resources, and advocacy.
PLUGS has created and sustained an engaged membership that includes a diverse group of laboratory stewardship stakeholders representing hospitals, health systems, laboratories, patient advocacy groups, health and biotechnology companies, and payers.
The value of PLUGS is the network of experts who make up our membership. See the full list of members.
Check out the PLUGS 2024 Year in Review which highlights activities from the past year and summarizes available member resources.
Not yet a member? Learn more about membership benefits and join PLUGS today!
PLUGS® is leading the following four initiatives
Genetic testing case review to support healthcare systems and insurance payers in effectively administering their genetic testing caseload. GeneTestAdvisor is provided in partnership with Metis Genetics as an additional contracted service.
Insurance Alignment to guide national consensus policies related to laboratory tests and framework and guidance to build partnerships with local payors to improve efficiencies around test review and improve reimbursement outcomes. This will ultimately increase testing approval for patients who meet medical necessity criteria.
Appropriate utilization of clinical laboratory services is important for patient care and requires institutional stewardship. Clinical laboratory stewardship programs are dedicated to improving the ordering, retrieval, and interpretation of appropriate laboratory tests. In addition, these programs focus on developing, maintaining, and improving systems to provide proper financial coverage for medically necessary testing. Overall, clinical laboratory stewardship programs help clinicians improve the quality of patient care while reducing costs to patients, hospitals, and health systems.
Laboratory Stewardship Program, Tools & Education to help hospital laboratories, reference laboratories, and practitioners implement their own laboratory stewardship programs. These programs improve patient safety by reducing errors, and significantly reduce laboratory testing expenses.
View the list of educational webinars we are currently offering
Meet Our Team
Mike Astion, MD, PhD
PLUGS Co-Founder
Laboratory Medical Director, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Clinical Professor, University of Washington
Jane Dickerson, PhD
PLUGS Co-Founder
Lab Division Head, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Washington
Monica Wellner
PLUGS Director of Operations
Laboratory Director, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Sarah Clowes Candadai, MS, CGC
PLUGS Program Manager
Seattle Children’s Hospital
Darci Sternen, MS, CGC
PLUGS Account Manager
Genetic Counselor, Seattle Children’s Hospital
SHANNON STASI, MS, CGC
PLUGS Account Manager
Genetic Counselor, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Melissa Damon
PLUGS Senior Administrative Assistant
Seattle Children’s Hospital
Cristina Pacheco, MD
PLUGS Consultant
Pathologist, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Clinical Associate Professor, University of Washington