Oct 29, 2012 | Coding, Billing, and Collections, Digital Pathology, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Uncategorized
Clinical laboratory professionals and pathologists should be aware of significant levels of errors in clinician gene test orders
Almost one-third of medical laboratory test orders for complex gene tests contained mistakes in handling by ordering clinicians. This finding comes from a study by ARUP Laboratories, Inc.. The finding is an early warning flag for pathologists and clinical laboratory professionals that a gap exists between the availability of genetic tests and clinician knowledge of how and when to use them and how to interpret the results. (more…)
Oct 22, 2012 | Digital Pathology, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology
Pathologists and clinical laboratory managers may see an explosion of new diagnostic tests in the wake of ENCODE’s discoveries
You know it’s big news when multiple scientific journals publish numerous papers on the same day, covering the same genetic research topic. That is why pathologists and clinical laboratory professionals will want to learn more about “ENCODE,” the global research initiative that is the source of almost 40 published papers during recent weeks.
Of equal importance, this is basic science that is unlocking knowledge of human DNA that is expected to drive an entire new field of medical diagnostics. In turn, the host of new medical laboratory tests based on ENCODE’s new scientific findings will create additional opportunities for the nation’s clinical laboratories to deliver more value to physicians and patients. (more…)
Sep 14, 2012 | Compliance, Legal, and Malpractice, Digital Pathology, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Uncategorized
Mobile testing truck makes DNA testing approachable and accessible to the community while competing with established clinical laboratories
You may have seen recent news coverage of a van cruising the streets of New York City that was offering on-the-spot DNA testing with signs plastered on sides reading “Who’s Your Daddy”—“DNA Testing.” Certainlyany passing pathologist or clinical chemist might do a double take.
According to abc News coverage of the story, passersby can hail the 28-foot recreational vehicle to have their DNA tested. Of course, no testing is performed in the mobile van. Rather, a technician collects a sample from the customer, packages it, and sends it to a laboratory in Ohio for testing. Results come back in three to five days. Prices for the testing service start at $299. (more…)
Sep 5, 2012 | Digital Pathology, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Pathologists are helping care team interpret genetic laboratory test results for patients in the cardiac catheterization laboratory
Genetic tests will be part of the regular care protocols for some cardiology patients at both the University of Florida (UF) Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and Stanford University Medical Center. Among other factors, it is faster time-to-answer and the lower cost of certain genetic technologies that make it feasible to use genetic tests in this care setting.
In particular, the genetic tests will be used to guide cardiologists as they make therapeutic decisions. Assisting in the interpretation of these tests will be pathologists and clinical laboratory professionals. (more…)
Jun 1, 2012 | Digital Pathology, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Even small clinical pathology laboratories could afford this new miniaturized gene sequencer
Is the profession of pathology and clinical laboratory medicine ready to deal with point-of-care DNA sequencing technologies? A company in the United Kingdom says that, as early as next year, it can bring a portable high-throughput unit to market that will sell for around US $900.
Researchers at Oxford Nanopore Technologies Ltd. (ON) have developed new-generation sequencing technology that uses nanopores to deliver ultra-long, read-length, single molecule sequence data, the company stated in a press release. And it does this with competitive accuracy on a high-throughput electronic platform. (more…)
