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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Sarasota Hospital Lab Reduces Number of Hemolyzed Specimens

By Joseph Burns | From the Volume XIX No. 7 – May 14, 2012 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Seeking to improve turnaround time for stat lab tests, the laboratory at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System identified high rates of hemolysis as the chief reason for less than ideal TAT. Because 32% of blood draws were handled by the lab’s phlebotomy staff while 68% of b…

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Accreditation with DNV Helps Hospital Raise Inpatient Volume

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XVI No. 8 – June 8, 2009 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: In Utica, New York, 201-bed St. Elizabeth Medical Center was the first hospital in New York State and one of the first five hospitals nationwide to meet the new accreditation standard from DNV Healthcare, of Cincinnati, Ohio. St. Elizabeth administrators credit use o…

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Despite the Recession, Many Local Labs Thrive

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XVI No. 7 – May 18, 2009 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Each year, the Executive War College offers useful perspectives on the current lab testing marketplace. This year’s gathering took place as the recession deepened. Yet that didn’t dampen the optimism and energy of 60 speakers and more than 450 attendees from 12 c…

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When Does Cost Cutting Affect a Lab’s Quality?

By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Many lab professionals note the irony that a laboratory so publicly committed to Six Sigma quality management methods is now identified with the single largest episode of systemic failure in lab test accuracy. Looking in from the outside, some pathologists suggest th…

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Quest’s Deficiencies Trigger QA/QC Questions

By Robert Michel

CEO SUMMARY: Experts in laboratory QA/QC and proficiency testing (PT) are following the news that Quest Diagnostics admitted to an 18-month problem with lab test accuracy in its home brew Vitamin 25(OH) D assay. It is recognized as a major failure in the existing system of labora…

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Patient Retest Effort Is Extraordinary Event

By R. Lewis Dark | From the Volume XV No. 17 – December 22, 2008 Issue

IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT WE DEVOTE AN ENTIRE ISSUE TO A SINGLE TOPIC. The last single-topic special issue of THE DARK REPORT was almost exactly one year ago, when we provided the laboratory industry’s most detailed assessment of the Medicare Part B Competitive Bidding Demonstration Project, the details…

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Ascendium Consulting Is New Firm In Lab Market

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XV No. 4 – March 24, 2008 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Growing numbers of laboratories are taking steps to reengineer work flow, evaluate automation solutions, and improve the operational performance of their laboratory. This is fueling a demand for laboratory consulting services and Ascendium Consulting is this newest healthcare…

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Key Trends Drive Change for Clinical Laboratories

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XIV No. 1 – January 8, 2007 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Technology plays an ever-growing role in reshaping the organization and operation of clinical laboratories. New technologies figure prominently in THE DARK REPORT’S 2007 list of key trends in the clinical laboratory industry. Technological advances in instr…

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2006’s Top Lab Stories Identify New Threats

By Robert Michel | From the Volume XIII No. 17 – December 18, 2006 Issue

CEO SUMMARY: Presented here are THE DARK REPORT’S “Ten Biggest Lab Stories of 2006.” Compared to earlier years, 2006 was not transformative for the laboratory industry. But it was an eventful year, particularly influenced by Siemens’ decision to acquire DPC and Bayer Diagnostics, …

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