Since 1995, Reliable Business Intelligence for Clinical Laboratories, Pathology Groups and Laboratory Diagnostics

August 2001

Medical Errors Reporting Will Impact Labs

CERTAINLY HIPAA SEEMS TO BE GETTING LOTS OF ATTENTION by all categories of healthcare providers, including laboratories. But I think the movement to disclose medical errors may eventually prove to be the more serious issue for clinical laboratories and anatomic pathology groups. Our members and clients know that just last month JCAHO began requiring hospitals …

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British Firm Acquires Sunquest Info Systems

CEO SUMMARY: Sunquest Information Systems was recently acquired by Misys Plc, a software company based in the United Kingdom. The transaction is another example of consolidation within the healthcare software sector. It also demonstrates that software products developed in the United States are seen to have good potential in overseas markets, particularly Europe. PERSISTENT RUMORS …

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Big Jump Predicted In Health Insurance Costs

CEO SUMMARY: Spiraling health costs are about to become a headline issue once again. There is widespread evidence that health insurers are seeking premium increases of 20% from the nation’s biggest employers. Aetna recently announced a second quarter 2001 operating loss of $95.9 million. Increased utilization was a major factor in this loss. Labs may …

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Dynacare Expands Into Chicago With Purchase of 2 Small Labs

IT’S A BUSINESS STRATEGY BUILT AROUND “go where they ain’t!” In recent years, Dynacare, Inc. has found its best growth comes from acquiring laboratories in areas somewhat underserved by larger national competitors. It then uses that regional base to expand outward into nearby regions. Examples of this market strategy have been Seattle, with expansion into …

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Lab Testing Problems Attract Unfavorable Media Attention

DURING THE PAST TWO WEEKS, problems with laboratory tests received national media coverage, both on television and in print. The national publicity demonstrates the downside to growing consumer interest in laboratory testing. Journalists are willing to capitalize on public fears about the potential for medical errors. Early Warning To Labs Laboratory executives and pathologists should …

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Point-of-Care Kiosk Improves Outcomes In Emergency Department

CEO SUMMARY: Steadily increasing numbers of patients at Massachusetts General Hospital exceeded the capacity of its emergency department. Challenged to help with the situation, lab administrators created a point-of-care testing kiosk within the emergency department (ED). This unique lab project proved to be a home run. Length of stay in the ED was reduced and …

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Northwestern Hospital Laboratory Supports Reduced Infection Rate

THIS MONTH, ONE OF THE NATION’S most unique and effective nosocomial infection programs completes its seventh year of operation at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. This one-of-a-kind infection control effort is organized around the laboratory—specifically, in-house molecular typing within the microbiology department. Functioning as part of a multi-disciplinary team chartered to cut the rate of hospital …

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“August 13, 2001 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

In recent years he’s become an influential “behind the scenes” guy within the lab industry. Now Heywood D. Cochrane, Jr. is joining the Board of Directors at AmeriPath, Inc., based in Riviera Beach, Florida. Most laboratorians know Cochrane from his tour as President and CEO of Allied Clinical Laboratories before it was acquired by National …

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