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

The Dark Report

Questions, Answers & Viewpoints

Laboratory Automation / By Robert Michel

Dear Editor: The story in your February 17 issue about laboratory automation as viewed by an industrial engineer was fascinating. He did a great job of helping me understand how to look at clinical laboratory automation. However, you say nothing about the centralized/decentralized issue. Isn’t automation predicated on the concept of a centralized laboratory with …

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Meditech & LabSoft Top 1996 LIS Sales Rankings

Laboratory Information Systems / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Turnover and turmoil are the big news in the LIS field. Hospitals and commercial laboratories are upgrading or replacing their existing LIS software at a rapid pace. Meanwhile, mergers and consolidations within the LIS industry create new power players. LIS conversion projects continue to be difficult, expensive and time-consuming. Market leaders Meditech and …

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New Features Slated For Lab Information Systems

Laboratory Information Systems / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Two processes are transforming healthcare: managed care and quality management. Laboratory information systems must incorporate radically new features if they are to support changes to clinical laboratory operations. This makes it imperative that laboratory executives select an effective laboratory information system. PARALLEL DEVELOPMENTS in the healthcare marketplace are shaping the design and function …

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Laboratories Enter The Era Of Big Government

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

You will read in this issue of THE DARK REPORT how federal prosecutors have now taken all three of the national laboratories to the woodshed. SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories was the latest to make the trip, paying $325 million to settle a wide variety of allegations and violations of Medicare regulations. However, there is something …

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Las Vegas Lab Gathering Debates Industry Trends

Clinical Laboratory Trends / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Always a good forum for discussion of laboratory industry trends, this year’s meeting in Las Vegas addressed government regulation, laboratory automation and everything in between. Here is a brief rundown on some of the more interesting insights and observations. ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER of laboratory programs exist which address the management interests of …

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SmithKline Announces $325 Million Settlement

Laboratory Compliance / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Prosecutors continue to investigate. Criminal charges could be forthcoming against the company and individuals. Allegations against SmithKline expand the scope of laboratory practices that government regulators consider to be violations of existing statutes. Despite the fact that Smithkline Beecham’s settlement was expected, details of the case generated surprise among lab industry executives. At …

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Government Regulators Transforming Lab Industry

Laboratory Compliance / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Medicare/Medicaid regulators get serious about laboratory billing and reimbursement practices. Industry observers say it represents a major shift and will have immense financial and operational impact on every clinical laboratory in the United States. FOLLOWING YEARS of “benign neglect” toward Medicare billing practices, regulators will now scrutinize laboratory reimbursement activities with full vigor. …

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“March 10, 1997 Intelligence: Late Breaking Lab News”

Late Breaking Lab News / By Robert Michel

The field of automated cytology is advancing quickly. Technology is rapidly pushing into the marketplace. Here’s a sampling of recent developments among cytology-based companies… Cytyc Corporation and Laboratory Corporation of America announced on March 6 that a national contract had been signed between the two companies. LabCorp will make Cytyc’s ThinPrep® Pap smear available to …

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Cigna Buys HealthSource, Inc., Increases Managed Care Clout

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Consolidation continues among managed care companies. Cigna’s acquisition is an effort to boost its managed care business. Healthsource’s market coverage complements areas where Cigna can use the additional market strength to negotiate more favorable contracts with providers. HEALTHCARE CONSOLIDATION continues with Cigna Corp.’s agreement to purchase Healthsource, Inc. for $1.4 billion. The acquisition …

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LabCorp Seeks $500 Million Through Public Stock Offering

Laboratory Management / By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: After a financially difficult year in 1996, LabCorp enters 1997 with plans to raise $500 million. Despite the laboratory industry’s poor prospects, LabCorp will probably succeed in raising capital. After this infusion of capital, will LabCorp’s new management team have winning strategies that restore LabCorp to profitability? IMAGINE ASKING WALL STREET for $500 …

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