Use Histology Laboratory Data to Illustrate Specimen ‘Life Cycle’

By Scott Wallask | From the Volume XXX No. 2 – January 23, 2023 Issue

BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGING LABOR MARKET, pathology labs need ways to boost staff productivity. To help identify workflow bottlenecks, one approach is to examine lab data and encourage bench teams to think holistically about specimen movement in the lab. [caption id=”attachment_36932″ align=”alignl…

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Pathology Lab Transforms, Runs 1M COVID-19 Tests

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXVIII No. 3 – March 1, 2021 Issue

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 o…

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OIG Finds 120-Day Delays at Memphis VA Path Lab

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXVI No. 12 – September 3, 2019 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Last year, Veterans Administration officials received an anonymous complaint about delays in laboratory specimen processing and results at the Memphis VA Medical Center may have harmed patients and led to a patient death. Following an investigation, the VA’s Office of Inspe…

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Dermatologists Say Anthem Cuts Affect Patient Care

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXVI No. 11 – August 12, 2019 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Deep cuts in what Anthem pays pathologists for the professional component for certain AP services are having a harmful effect on the long-standing relationships that dermatologists have with dermatopathologists, some physicians say. By disrupting these relationships, Anthem i…

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JAMA Study: Pathology field loses almost 18% Since 2007

By Mary Van Doren | From the Volume XXVI No. 8 – June 10, 2019 Issue

This is a synopsis of two articles in the June 10, 2019 issue of THE DARK REPORT (TDR). The full articles are available to members of The Dark Intelligence Group. CEO SUMMARY: The number of professionals working in the pathology field in the United States declined by 17.53% from 2007 t…

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JAMA Study: 17% Fewer Pathologists Since 2007

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXVI No. 8 – June 10, 2019 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: The number of pathologists working in the United States declined by 17.53% from 2007 to 2017, according to recent research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. When adjusted for the U.S. population, the researchers said the workforce of pathologists i…

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Several Big Surprises in 2018’s Top 10 Lab Stories

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXV No. 18 – December 24, 2018 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: This year’s list of the Top 10 Lab Industry Stories for 2018 is dominated by new directives from Medicare and private health insurers, as well as significant decisions by federal courts. Collectively, these developments create new compliance risks for all clinical laborator…

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Quest, Sonic Issue Statements about Pap Test Issues in Ireland

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXV No. 11 – July 30, 2018 Issue

PROBLEMS WITH CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING IN IRELAND continue to make headlines in the Irish newspapers and roil the Irish health system. Caught up in this story are two billion-dollar lab companies that performed cervical cancer screening under contract to the Irish Health Service. T…

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Wake Forest Baptist Lab’s Path Errors Teach Lessons

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XXV No. 7 – May 7, 2018 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: For medical directors and pathologists interested in improving their labs’ compliance with CLIA regulations, a report from federal and state inspectors of an inspection of the pathology lab at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center offers insights into what issues caught th…

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NC Hospital Reviewing Path Lab Deficiencies

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XXV No. 6 – April 16, 2018 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Discovery of multiple diagnostic errors occurring in an anatomic pathology department triggered a complaint investigation and a 54-page report from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The report shows that Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is reviewing mo…

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