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

May 2005

Laboratories Lead Healthcare on Quality Systems

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

IS THE REST OF HEALTHCARE CATCHING UP TO THE LABORATORY INDUSTRY when it comes to the use of quality management systems like ISO-9000, Six Sigma, and Lean? In the May 2, 2005 issue of Modern Healthcare, there’s a major story on quality management systems and how some hospitals are using same to drive major improvements […]

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Lab Innovators Point Way At Executive War College

Clinical Laboratory Trends / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Now in its tenth year, this Executive War College attracted a record crowd, including laboratory leaders from Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia. The unexpected finding was that, along with the growing acceptance of Lean, Six Sigma and other quality management systems by the nation’s first-rank lab organizations, assertive surveying of physician and

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Carilion Health Acquires Chi Lab Consultancy

Clinical Laboratory Trends / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: In selling Park City Solutions Laboratory Services Group to Carilion Health System, Park City Solutions is returning to its core competency in healthcare information technology consulting services. For Carilion Health System, this acquisition puts it firmly in the national lab consulting service arena. Carilion will operate its laboratory consultancy in total independence of

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Phlebotomists in Calif. Undergoing Certification

Laboratory Compliance / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: State certification of phlebotomists is under way in the Golden State. By April 9, 2006, all phlebotomists in California will need to maintain state certification. This development adds complexity to laboratory management in California. However, there are no signs that other states intend to follow California’s lead in requiring certification of phlebotomists. WHEN

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For Molecular Tests, Evaluate All Factors

Molecular Diagnostics / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: When this hospital lab adopted molecular screening tests for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoaea, physicians soon noticed a change in the rate of false positives. In researching the performance of the molecular assays compared to cultures, pathologists at this laboratory gained a better appreciation of how the introduction of a new molecular assay

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LIS Market Evolving To Serve New Needs

Laboratory Information Systems / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Ongoing reimbursement declines, coupled with other key factors, are pushing labs to seek new capabilities for their laboratory information systems (LIS). Another influence is the growth of molecular diagnostic programs in hospital labs. Molecular testing places unique demands on an LIS, which may further motivate labs to acquire newest-generation IT solutions versus upgrading

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Urology Revenue Loss Drives AP Lab Condos

Anatomic Pathology / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Urologists are motivated to operate anatomic pathology laboratory condominiums as a way to replace lost income after Medicare imposed a major reimbursement cut for a key urology procedure. Capturing revenue from ancillary services is a hot topic within the urology profession. Here are details about this exploding trend and why there is interest

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“May 30, 2005 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / Robert Michel

It’s been a revolving door for senior executives at Specialty Laboratories, Inc. during the past seven weeks. Gone by resignation is CFO Kevin Sayer (effective May 16). Gone by elimination of positions are Dan R. Angress, Sr. VP/Business Development (April 8) and Cynthia K. French, Ph.D., VP/Chief Science Officer (April 8). Gone by termination without

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International Tempest in Lab Industry Teapot

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

MAYBE ALL OF US IN THE LABORATORY PROFESSION GOT A GOOD LESSON in the deficiencies of the national and international media during the past month. I am referring to the screaming headlines last month about how four laboratory proficiency testing (PT) programs sent 4,000 laboratories virology PT kits with live H2N2 influenza virus. (See pages

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“Coming Out” Party In Atlanta for IQLM

The Dark Report / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: It was like a debutante ball for the fledgling Institute for Quality in Laboratory Medicine (IQLM). Over three days, thought leaders in healthcare and laboratory testing tackled the issue of how laboratory medicine can improve patient safety and contribute to higher-quality health outcomes. Key themes emerged with the potential to impact all laboratories

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