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

November 2006

November 27, 2006 “Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

“Postal Rage” is the term coined to describe the phenomenon of crazed postal workers rampaging through post office facilities shooting at co-workers. In recent days, the nation may have seen its first example of “Patient Rage” in a hospital. On November 20, a patient standing in line to get a prescription from the ambulatory pharmacy …

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Acute Histotech Shortage Grows Across the USA

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Pathology laboratories are enjoying steady increases in specimen volume and revenue as new molecular assays gain acceptance by clinicians. However, the supply of histotechnologists is failing to keep pace with growth in the volume of tissue-based testing. One executive who places histotechs into laboratories predicts that competition among labs for skilled histotechs will …

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Pathologist Builds General Path Business From Office Lab

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Doctors Pathology Services in Delaware is successful for two reasons. First it runs the largest pathology lab in the state. But more important, it runs one of the few successful mobile pathology services anywhere. The Mobile Intraoperative Consultation Service(MICS)allows the pathologist to do pathology work on site at ambulatory surgery centers, physicians’ offices, …

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Labs Need Response to Physicians’ Use of EMR

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: A new trend is emerging in outreach laboratory IT systems. Labs are linking to the electronic medical record (EMR) systems in their physician clients’ offices. Delivering lab results to these systems is already common. Enabling electronic order entry is the next wave. Clinical labs and anatomic pathology practices will need to offer effective …

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Proving that Pathology’s Popular Wisdom Is Wrong

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

IN THE ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY PROFESSION, THE POPULAR WISDOM is that any pathology group practice needs one or more hospital contracts as the primary source of specimens necessary to financially sustain the practice. Outreach specimens sourced from physicians’ offices then represent a profitable supplement to the hospital business served by the pathology group. Three years ago, …

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New & Stefanelli Launch Anatomic Path Venture

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: With little fanfare, Aurora Diagnostics, Inc. opened for business last summer. It states that it has already signed acquisition agreements with five different pathology groups. Former AmeriPath executives James C. New and Martin J. Stefanelli are leading Aurora Diagnostics. Handling business development activities for Aurora will be Christopher Jahnle and Kirk Rebane of …

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Payer Sues Pathologists For Clin Path Fee Refund

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: In September, Anthem filed three lawsuits against pathology groups in Virginia, seeking refunds and punitive damages of up to $1million from each pathology group for pathology professional services provided in hospital labs by these pathology groups during the period 2001 through 2005. These three cases have disturbing implications for pathologists, as well as …

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Ventana & Cytyc Fall Short, Danaher Wins the Prize

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

WHEN Danaher Corporation’s high bid for Vision Systems Limited of Melbourne, Australia, was accepted last month, it appeared to be simply another acquisition by a large U.S. manufacturer. But, in fact, there are four reasons this transaction is significant to pathologists in the United States and worldwide. If approved by Vision’s shareholders later this year, …

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Doctors’ Income Survey Includes Pathologists

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Information on the year-to-year change in average total cash compensation for physicians shows that income is not keeping pace with inflation. That is not news to the physician community. However, pathologists continue to earn compensation that is above the midpoint average for 16 specialties. Compensation is rising swiftly for those pathologists with specific …

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Medical Identity Theft Is Twist On Identity Theft Crime Wave

The Dark Report / By Robert Michel

THERE’S A NEW TWIST to the crime of identity theft. In a recently issued report, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alerted the health- care industry to a new threat. Organized criminal gangs are stealing medical information. Healthcare workers are frequently part of these conspiracies to steal patients’ medical information. Laboratories and pathology group practices are …

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