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The Dark Report

Are Pathologists The Next “Fish In The Barrel?”

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

“SHOOTING FISH IN THE BARREL” MAY BE A GOOD METAPHOR TO DESCRIBE what can soon happen to the profession of pathology. This issue of THE DARK REPORT covers several important stories on laboratory management, with direct consequences to pathologists. First, the ISO 9001 certification of the Nichols Institute division of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (see pages …

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“July 6, 1998 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

Last week THE DARK REPORT toured the Framingham, Massachusetts laboratory of Genzyme Genetics, the diagnostic testing division of Genzyme Corporation. It is probably the largest genetics-based diagnostics laboratory organization in the United States. The company’s roots are in pregnancy testing for early detection of inherited diseases and similar conditions. Thus, a necessary part of the …

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Nichols Institute Earns ISO 9001 Certification

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Although it’s the first ISO 9001-certified clinical laboratory in North America, Quest Diagnostics’ Nichols Institute is a late-comer to the party. Most major diagnostics companies already have ISO 9001 certification. This issue of THE DARK REPORT explores why Nichols’ ISO certification is an industry milestone. Our prediction is that all larger laboratory organizations …

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Expect ISO 9000 To Alter Clinical Lab Management

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Perceptive laboratory executives and pathologists should welcome the impending arrival of ISO 9000 into the clinical laboratory industry. It promises to solve many problems of laboratory management. The diagnostics industry, responsible for manufacturing instruments and supplies used by clinical laboratories, has already embraced ISO 9000 with good results. MANY LABORATORY EXECUTIVES yawned at …

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Unrealized Gains Targeted By Premier’s Lab Initiative

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: In part one of this exclusive interview, Premier’s John Biggers described the reasons why the 1,700 hospital consortium developed a strategic services program for clinical laboratories. In this final installment, Biggers provides insight as to how the program will work and what the objectives will be. Biggers’ comments deserve careful reading, particularly by …

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MedPartners To Divest Hospital-Based MD Unit

Pathology Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Hospital-based pathologists are increasingly the target of buy-out offers by the emerging group of pathology based physician practice management (PPM) companies. But MedPartners decided that managing hospital-based physicians was something that was not in its best interest. What message should pathologists read into MedPartner’s exit from managing hospital-based doctors? PATHOLOGISTS MAY WANT TO …

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Executive War College Goes International

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

IT MAY SURPRISE MANY PEOPLE TO LEARN THAT THIS YEAR’S Executive War College in New Orleans attracted registrants from New Zealand and Germany. What may be even more surprising is the reason they traveled from overseas to come to this particular program. Our editor met with them and learned some intriguing and useful things that I …

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“June 15, 1998 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

Clinical laboratories continue to find their customers undergoing major consolidation. This time it involves two giants in long term care Health Care Corporation of Toledo, Ohio and Manor Care Inc. of Gaithersburg, Maryland are merging. The combined company will operate 292 long term care facilities, plus a large number of other healthcare facilities such as …

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Premier Explains Reasons It Sees Lab As Strategic

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Premier’s strategic alliance with Quest Diagnostics Incorporated represents a fundamental shift in the marketplace for hospital-based clinical laboratory services. This was a project developed by Premier, in response to its evaluation of marketplace trends affecting hospitals and their laboratories. For that reason, lab industry executives should pay close attention to why this alliance …

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Premier Executive John Biggers Discusses Reasons For Laboratory Initiative

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Because of Premier’s influence with 1,700 of the nation’s 5,000 hospitals, laboratory administrators and executives should realize that this strategic services alliance between Premier and Quest Diagnostics Incorporated will change traditional laboratory practices, regardless of whether the alliance proves successful or not. This interview with Premier Vice President John Biggers reveals the story …

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