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

February 2004

Diversifying Lab Management’s “Gene Pool” of Methods

Commentary and Opinion by R. Lewis Dark / R. Lewis Dark

I ENCOURAGE OUR CLIENTS AND REGULAR READERS to give careful thought to the intelligence findings provided by our editor about the unfolding laboratory joint venture in Cincinnati between LabOne, Inc. and The Health Alliance. (See here and here.) He contends that LabOne will bring additional management skills and experience to this established multi-hospital laboratory venture. Those […]

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LabOne in Cincinnati: Watch Events Unfold

Laboratory Management / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: It’s another example of a commercial laboratory taking over the laboratory assets of a multi-hospital consolidated laboratory. Will LabOne manage these assets and get more growth, more cost savings, and more profit? If this happens, it will mark the third time in recent years that leadership by individuals with commercial laboratory skills and

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Spectrum Lab Network Expands Into Tennessee

Laboratory Management / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: During the past four years, this energized hospital laboratory joint venture has posted significant growth in its laboratory outreach program. One notable accomplishment has been the effective deployment and use of Web browser-based lab test orders and results reporting with its client physicians. The operational and service benefits from this strategy have been

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Catholic Hospital in Illinois Loses Tax-Exempt Status

Laboratory Billing / Robert Michel

HOW HOSPITALS BILL and collect from uninsured patients is becoming a national issue. The latest shot fired is a ruling by the Illinois Department of Revenue revoking the state property tax exemption of Provena Covenant Medical Center, located in Urbana, Illinois. The hospital site and another 20 parcels of land owned by the hospital were

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New Healthcare Change Cycle Is Opportunity to Fix Problems

Clinical Laboratory Trends / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Healthcare’s new cycle of change will be greatly influenced by geneomics, proteomics, the Internet, consumer-driven healthcare, and political decisions that affect the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The launch of a such a new cycle of change presents the laboratory industry with an opportunity. Timely input with key decision makers can insure that the

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Price Discount Practices May Prove Troublesome

Laboratory Billing / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Some laboratories continue to offer deeply-discounted prices to the nation’s largest managed care plans as a way to maintain provider status and keep market share. In one case, these deep discounts surprised a long-time lab executive, who decided to share the information, along with his comments. Among his concerns is how such situations

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“February 23, 2004 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / Robert Michel

There’s a new player offering clinical diagnostic services in oncology. Genomic Health, Inc., based in Redwood City, California, is now accepting specimens. Last month, its laboratory received all the regulatory clearances required to conduct business. The company’s proprietary technology is incorporated in a test it calls Oncotype DX™ . This clinically-validated diagnostic assay provides a

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When Laboratory Vendors Go Bankrupt

Commentary and Opinion by R. Lewis Dark / Robert Michel

BANKRUPTCY AMONG VENDORS AND SUPPLIERS in the laboratory industry is an uncommon event. Since it is so rare, that is one less issue about which laboratory directors and pathologists must worry. However, occasionally there are reminders that it is good management practice to track the financial stability of your laboratory’s primary vendors and suppliers. One such

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LAB-Interlink Hangs On Despite Financial Woes

Laboratory Automation / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: It’s an uphill struggle at LAB-Interlink, based in Omaha, Nebraska. Short of funds, staffed with only a few employees, and urgently seeking capital, the company has so far managed to avoid filing for protection under bankruptcy laws. It is an unwelcome turn of events, since, in past years, LAB-Interlink was considered one of

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LAB-Interlink Clients Experience Highs & Lows

Laboratory Automation / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: It was right before Thanksgiving weekend when LAB-Interlink laid off most of its staff and was left with a skeleton crew. Since that date, at least one major laboratory customer was unable to get needed service and parts, causing a total shutdown of its automated line. However, other customers of LAB-Interlink report no

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