The Dark Report Archives

Automated Pap Smear Screening Expected to Build Market Share

EXPECT 1999 TO BE A PIVOTAL YEAR in automated Pap smear screening. This new technology is now poised to enter general clinical usage. As it does, an increasing volume of clinical data will make the case: either automated screening of Pap smears is clinically effective and economically justified—or it is not. Evidence that automated Pap […]

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Pathology Consolidation Offers Many Local Benefits

Pathology Trends / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Consolidation of pathology practices can be a complex and drawn-out process. But it doesn’t have to be that way. During the 1990s, Bayless Pathmark of Cleveland grew from a two-man practice into a regional pathology resource numbering 22 pathologists and serving 10 hospitals. One surprising result of this process was an increase in

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“Value Added” Services Essential to Success

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

ONE ELEMENT COMMON TO SUCCESSFUL LABORATORY ORGANIZATIONS of the future will be the ability to both understand the concept of “value added” services and to offer such services to customers. At its core, value added is an essential business strategy. There are many ways to define “value added.” But the intent is unquestioned. Any product

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Lab Leads Hospital In Successful Effort To Reduce Infections

Clinical Laboratory / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Most laboratorians struggle to get clinicians to pay close attention to the potential for lab data to improve healthcare outcomes. At Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the laboratory acqired in-house molecular typing test capability as one cornerstone for an aggressive infection control program. Physicians, nurses, med techs, pharmacists and even maintenance staff now regularly participate

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“February 1, 1999 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / Robert Michel

Are the financial fortunes of the national laboratories about to take a turn for the better? Financial analysts at FMR Corp. must think so. Last month the company disclosed that it had purchased 3 million common shares in Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, giving it a 10.3% ownership stake in the laboratory firm. FMR is the parent

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Beckman Coulter Gets New CEO, Stock Gets Analyst Downgrade

Laboratory Management / Robert Michel

AFTER SPENDING MOST OF 1998 digesting its 1997 acquisition of Coulter Corporation, Beckman Coulter, Inc. is ready for new business initiatives in the diagnostics marketplace. Beckman Coulter enters 1999 with a new leader. John P. Wareham, currently President and CEO, will assume the additional duties of Chairman. Louis T. Rosso, Beckman’s long-time chief executive, stepped

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Top-Performing Labs at Executive War College

Laboratory Management / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Once again, Executive War College time approaches. Scheduled for May 11-12, 1999 at the New Orleans Sheraton, this year’s roster of innovative laboratories promises to provide valuable insight about winning strategies. An expanded program offers a lab industry first: a knowledge track exclusively focused on the sales and marketing of laboratory and pathology

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IMPATH Creates Its Brand Of Value-Added Pathology

Anatomic Pathology / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: IMPATH Inc. is a pathology company with an interesting twist. It doesn’t compete directly with community hospital-based pathologists like some national AP providers. Instead, it offers AP services which supplement the capabilities of the local pathologist. The formula must work. During IMPATH’s short life, it has grown rapidly. Revenues are up, profits are

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IMPATH Points Pathology Toward a Winning Future

Anatomic Pathology / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Pathology is about to undergo a market transformation similar to radiology. As clinicians insist on more precise diagnostic and prognostic information about their patients, pathologists will have a perfect opportunity to reposition themselves as essential partners with the referring physician. IMPATH points the way, but there is room for many other pathologists to

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HMO Membership Shows First-Ever Decline in 1998

Managed Care Contracts / Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: One of the most closely-tracked surveys of health cost trends was released last week. William H. Mercer Inc.’s report revealed two significant facts. One, enrollment growth in HMO/POS plans actually declined for the first time. Two, costs rose at the fastest rate in five years. Each fact may be early warning to laboratory

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