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

Volume XXVIII No. 3 - March 1, 2021

COVID-19 Variant Sequencing Offers Clinical Opportunities

This is an excerpt of a 2,987-word article in the March 1, 2021 issue of  THE DARK REPORT (TDR). The full article is available to members of The Dark Intelligence Group. CEO SUMMARY: In Wisconsin, an oncology research lab started sequencing variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and found multiple uses for such test results to …

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Might Politics Sway California Lab’s CLIA Compliance?

IS IT A CONFLICT FOR A STATE GOVERNMENT TO BUILD AND OPERATE A CLIA high-complexity clinical laboratory and have the same department that manages this lab facility also conduct the CLIA-mandated inspections and oversight of the lab’s compliance, as required by the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)?  That is the situation in California today. …

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New Year Brings Three New Clinical Lab Trends

CEO SUMMARY: Since the year began, three trends have affected clinical laboratories and anatomic pathology groups. First is a continuing surge in COVID-19 test volume. Second is inconsistent payment from government and commercial insurers for SARS-CoV-2 test claims. Third is growing consumer acceptance of digital devices to monitor their health, a trend that leads them …

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Whistleblowers Disclose Issues in California’s COVID Lab

SUMMARY: Whistleblowers at the State of California’s brand-new COVID-19 Valencia Branch Laboratory are telling reporters about staff sleeping on the job, unlicensed staff handling specimens, and other significant issues. Given the reports of several news outlets, one relevant question for the clinical laboratory profession is whether state lab inspectors, federal CLIA officials, and the College …

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Pathology Lab Transforms, Runs 1M COVID-19 Tests

CEO SUMMARY: Last spring, a histopathology lab in Illinois began running molecular COVID-19 tests and decided the clinical side of the lab would focus exclusively on PCR testing for COVID-19. The challenge was how to access a reliable source of test kits, reagents, and supplies to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. …

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SARS-CoV-2 Variant Sequencing Offers Clinical Opportunities

CEO SUMMARY: In Wisconsin, an oncology research lab started sequencing variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and found multiple uses for such test results to help hospitals, health systems, schools, and municipalities identify infection sources and track the virus’ spread. In one case, the lab identified a sub-strain of the virus that appeared to be linked …

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Pathologist’s Prison Term Is a Warning for AP Groups

CEO SUMMARY: In January, a former VA pathologist was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison following his conviction on charges of involuntary manslaughter and mail fraud. The facts in this case show why leaders of clinical labs and pathology groups need to be aware of individuals who are impaired on the job due to …

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Hospitals Say New UHC Policy on Lab Network Is Anticompetitive

IT’S NOT OFTEN THAT HOSPITAL ASSOCIATIONS WILL DIRECTLY OPPOSE the changes that health insurers want to make in how they pay for clinical laboratory tests. But that is now happening with UnitedHealthcare’s new lab test payment policy that directly reduces what many hospital labs are paid for outreach laboratory test claims.  In February, the American Hospital …

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March 1, 2021 Intelligence: Late-Breaking Lab News

Even as the nation’s clinical laboratories work to expand the number of molecular COVID-19 tests they can perform daily, the demand for such tests is plunging. That’s one conclusion in a news story published by the Associated Press in recent days. The AP illustrated this fact with the situation in Los Angeles County. Reporter Matthew …

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