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

Month: September 2019

September 23, 2019 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

Spectra Laboratories, a division of the national dialysis company Fresenius Medical Care, will soon open a new 200,000 square foot laboratory facility in Memphis. The new lab will employ more than 300 people and will be located only 15 minutes from the Memphis International Airport and the Memphis world hub operated by FedEx Corporation. The …

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Monitoring Patients on Opioids with Toxicology Screens Is Opportunity for Clinical Labs

TDR Insider / By Mary Van Doren

This is an excerpt of a 2,883-word article in the Sept. 23, 2019 issue of THE DARK REPORT (TDR). The full article is available to members of The Dark Intelligence Group. CEO SUMMARY: In this first industry briefing on such a program, THE DARK REPORT explains that Community Health Network (CHN) of Indianapolis recognized that …

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Lab Monitors Compliance of Chronic Opioid Patients

Clinical Laboratory / By Joseph Burns

CEO SUMMARY: Hospitals and health systems developing programs to manage patients on chronic opioid therapy (COT) are finding that an essential element of these programs is regular toxicology testing. In its role as the toxicology test provider for a health network in Indiana, AIT Laboratories of Denton, Texas, has found that COT patients improved their …

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Monitoring Patients on Opioids Is Opportunity for Clinical Labs

Clinical Laboratory / By Joseph Burns

CEO SUMMARY: When developing a program to identify and treat patients who misused opioids or needed chronic opioid therapy, Community Health Network (CHN) of Indianapolis recognized that clinical lab toxicology tests were one of the few sources of objective data about patient compliance. When CHN developed its Chronic Opioid Therapy (COT) program, protocols were included that …

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ASCP, CAP Ask Anthem to Roll Back Price Cuts

Laboratory Billing / By Joseph Burns

CEO SUMMARY: One association representing pathologists says new payment rates that Anthem, Inc., is introducing in 14 states do not cover the costs of performing anatomic pathology and clinical lab testing for the tests in question. Another association says the steep payment cuts threaten the viability of small and rural pathology groups. State-by-state, Anthem is …

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Opportunity for Labs to Help with Opioid Crisis

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

IT’S CALLED THE OPIOD CRISIS AND IT’S OFTEN A MAJOR STORY in the nightly news. In 2017, deaths from drug overdoses totaled 70,237, of which 68% (47,600) were opioid overdose deaths, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Across the nation, government health officials and healthcare providers struggle to address the problems of …

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Expert Sees Pros, Cons In DP and WSI Systems

Digital Pathology / By Joseph Burns

CEO SUMMARY: Now that the FDA has cleared two digital pathology systems for use in primary diagnosis, a growing number of pathology groups are taking up the question of whether and when they should adopt and use a digital pathology system and whole slide imaging. One pathologist with hands-on experience working with different digital pathology …

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PGx Testing Labs Concerned by FDA’s Statements, Actions

TDR Insider / By Mary Van Doren

This is a synopsis of two in-depth articles in the Sept. 3, 2019 issue of THE DARK REPORT (TDR). The full articles are available to members of The Dark Intelligence Group. CEO SUMMARY: Since April, 2019, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken steps that target clinical laboratories that perform pharmacogenetic (PGx) tests. …

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PGx Labs Concerned by FDA’s Statements, Actions

Genetic Testing / By Joseph Burns

CEO SUMMARY: Since April, the federal Food and Drug Administration has taken steps that target clinical laboratories that perform pharmacogenetic (PGx) tests. In response to letters from the FDA, some PGx lab companies have stopped reporting data that predicts a patient’s response to certain medications. Some pathologists and lab executives have criticized the FDA’s actions …

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Few Options for Pathology Groups Facing Anthem’s Payment Cuts

Pathology Trends / By Joseph Burns

FACED WITH DEEP CUTS in payment for anatomic pathology professional component services from Anthem Inc., pathologist have only a few options in how they can respond, according to consultants who work with AP groups. “These are dire cuts to anatomic pathology reimbursement,” said one consultant who asked not to be named. He suggested that small …

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