Sep 25, 2009 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Management & Operations
Unproductive workplace dynamics retard performance improvement efforts
Some quality experts are recognizing that the true root causes of non-conforming events in clinical laboratories and pathology groups are not flaws in individual work processes. Rather, they argue the true root causes of defects are actually embedded organizational values and beliefs which management uses to justify and reinforce the way it organizes and operates the laboratory.
This perspective on management values as the true root cause of defects was articulated in 2003 in a paper titled the “Seven Deadly Sins of Quality Management.” It was published in “Quality Progress” by John Dew, Director of Continuous Quality Improvement at the University of Alabama.
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Aug 26, 2009 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Deal with Abbott Labs gives Neogenomics access to proprietary probes
Diagnostic testing for melanoma generates a substantial number of tests annually, making it a lucrative target for any clinical laboratory or biotech company that can develop an assay that utilizes state-of-the-art molecular technologies and offers improved detection and accuracy.
Once company working to develop such a new diagnostic test for melanoma is Neogenomics, Inc. (OTC:NGNM.OB). It announced an agreement with Abbott Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:ABT). on July 24, 2009. Abbott Laboratories will supply Neogenomics with proprietary probes to develop and commercialize its own FISH-based (Fluorescence in situ hyrbridization) test for melanoma.
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Aug 24, 2009 | Digital Pathology, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory Pathology
Upcoming Pathology Visions conference will tackle digital pathology advances
Digital pathology is entering a new phase of adoption marked by three significant trends. This is the assessment of Dirk Soenksen, Founder and CEO of Aperio Technologies, Inc., in Vista, California. He believes these three trends are working together to accelerate the adoption of digital imaging and digital pathology systems by pathology laboratories across the nation.
Soenksen has observed the following three trends in recent months:
- The desire by some pathologists who already use digital pathology in niche settings to expand the use of digital pathology within their laboratories to partial or full adoption.
- A heightened interest by laboratory information system (LIS) vendors to integrate their software with digital image management (pathology PACS) software, as a way to improve their competitive advantage.
- Widespread support for the newly formed Digital Pathology Association (DPA) a not-for-profit group comprising industry and non-industry members, and its mission to focus on education, best practices, and increasing awareness.
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Aug 21, 2009 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Management & Operations
It’s the second acquisition of a hospital lab outreach program in past six days
Several days ago, a two-part deal was announced between Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX) and Caritas Christi Health Care of Boston, Massachusetts. Caritas sold its clinical laboratory outreach business to Quest Diagnostics and both parties formed a “strategic alliance” going forward that centers upon laboratory testing and informatics integration. Caritas will continue to own and manage the laboratories in its six hospitals.
This is the second sale of a hospital laboratory outreach business in the past two weeks. On August 12, Sonic Healthcare (SYD:SHL) acquired Piedmont Medical Laboratories (PML) of Winchester, Virginia. PML was owned by Valley Health, an eight-hospital health system. (See Dark Daily, ‘Sonic Healthcare’s Latest Lab Buying Spree Nets Two U.S. Labs for $20 Million”, August 13, 2009.)
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Aug 13, 2009 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Management & Operations
Sonic purchased Piedmont Medical Laboratory of Winchester, Virginia, and Axiom Laboratories, of Tampa, Florida
Yesterday, Sonic Healthcare, Ltd., of Sydney, Australia, officially recognized the acquisition of two clinical laboratories in the United States: Piedmont Medical Laboratory of Winchester, Virginia, and Axiom Laboratories, of Tampa. The Axiom transaction was closed earlier this summer.
For both labs, Sonic will pay $20 million in cash and could pay $2.5 million more in performance-based bonuses over the next two years. As an indication of current pricing for laboratory services, the $20 million purchase price bought Sonic a total of approximately $16 million in annual revenue.
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