Standard Bar Code Labels Can Reduce Lab Errors

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XX No. 6 – May 6, 2013 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Standardization of bar code labels is a concept whose time has come. After implementing CLSI standard AUTO12-A, first-mover clinical labs report fewer specimen identification errors, a reduction of costs associated with specimen handling errors, and a boost in lab productivit…

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CMS and CAP Comment On CLIA PT Matters

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XIX No. 11 – August 6, 2012 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Federal regulators rely on interpretations from administrative law judges (ALJ) for guidance in how to apply the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) as they pertain to proficiency testing (PT) and the issue of inadvertent PT referrals. Representatives of the Cen…

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Florida Law Better Defines Lab Marketing Violations

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XIX No. 10 – July 16, 2012 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Despite clear language in Florida’s new state law that bans the placement of laboratory employees in a physicians’ office, some clinical lab companies want to continue the practice of placing specimen collectors in physicians’ offices. These opinions were voiced by lab …

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Victim of First HIPAA-Convicted Crime Tells Story & Offers Advice to Labs

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XII No. 6 – April 18, 2005 Issue

“I figured the hospital would be subject to a multi-million dollar HIPAA lawsuit if my hospital records were proven breached—which is exactly what happened.” —Eric Drew, cancer patient and patient identity theft victim CEO SUMMARY: Eric Dre…

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Phlebotomist Convicted For Theft of Patient ID

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XII No. 5 – March 28, 2005 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Patient identity theft by a phlebotomist, prosecuted and convicted under HIPAA. This is a story whose true dimensions went unreported within the laboratory industry—until now! THE DARK REPORT is first to alert its clients to the possibility that every laboratory and patholo…

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Phlebotomist Gibson Steals Patient’s Identity

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XII No. 5 – March 28, 2005 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: It was a case of a well-liked lab worker acting in rogue fashion to steal and use the identity of a patient to commit financial fraud. Within laboratories, employees in phlebotomy, accessioning, data entry, coding, billing, and collections often have access to sensitive patie…

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Is Nation’s Best Quality Laboratory in Arizona?

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XI No.13 – September 20, 2004 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Without much fanfare or public attention, one lab is achieving recognition for quality and service excellence possibly unmatched in the clinical laboratory industry. In 2003, Sonora Quest Laboratories received Arizona’s Pioneer Award for Quality—the first healthcare provi…

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Florida Labs Face Off With Hurricane Charley

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XI No. 12 – August 30, 2004 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Hurricane Charley not only validated long-standing laboratory emergency contingency plans, but it introduced new issues. Even two weeks after the hurricane, hospital labs in the most affected communities continue to deal with storm-related problems. One issue is that damaged …

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Molecular Diagnostics’ “Gap in Expectations”

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XI No. 8 – June 7, 2004 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: This year’s Executive War College provided strong evidence that the twin trends of molecular diagnostics and Lean management methods are taking root within the laboratory industry. Each is a trend in its infancy. Molecular diagnostics will require considerable time before i…

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Baltimore Hospital Lab Problems Put Spotlight On CAP Inspections

By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Here’s an exclusive peek into a three-year battle between medical technologists wanting to do the right thing and a laboratory manager—backed by hospital administration—who aggressively stifled well-justified dissent. It is an inside look at one of the most grievous fai…

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