Aug 30, 2010 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Comprehensive genetic test database intended for use by pathologists, physicians, researchers and consumers
Pathologists and clinical laboratory managers will soon have a comprehensive registry of genetic tests that they can consult as needed. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is creating a single public registry with detailed information about both genetic test providers and the 1,600+ genetic tests these providers offer.
The NIH believes the genetic test registry will bring greater transparency to the field. It hopes that the registry creates increased information-sharing about the different genetic tests which are available. Participation in the registry will be voluntary, though groups such as the Genetic Alliance have called for making it mandatory to help weed out what they call “the bad actors” in the industry.
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Aug 11, 2010 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Trend is toward increased use of automation, particularly modular and task-targeted solutions, by medical laboratories across the globe
Worldwide, growing numbers of clinical pathology laboratories and medical laboratories are purchasing total laboratory automation (TLA) systems. This is evidence that the latest generation of laboratory automation products are more robust in use compared to prior years and can be purchased at a price that produces an acceptable return on investment (ROI).
However, the acceptance of total laboratory automation in clinical pathology laboratories is not universal. Only in selected countries have significant numbers of medical laboratories embraced laboratory automation as a way to improve productivity, reduce errors, and boost quality.
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Aug 2, 2010 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Many new in vitro diagnostics companies show their products last week in Anaheim
It’s a troubling fact that most health policymakers in the public and private sectors continue to handle clinical pathology laboratory testing as a commodity. That often translates into health insurance programs paying medical laboratories ever less money for the tests they provide. Under-reimbursement for lab tests is a threat to the integrity of laboratory medicine in this country.
However, two groups in our country think differently than this group of health policymakers. These are patients and Wall Street investors. Individuals in both groups are closely tracking advances in laboratory testing and laboratory medicine that positively affect patient care. They know the clinical and economic benefit of using new clinical lab test technology for the right patient at the right time.
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May 26, 2010 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
First-mover medical laboratory marketers are engaging customers on web sites such as MySpace.com and YouTube.com
Social networking is a radically new concept that innovative clinical laboratories, pathology practices, and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) manufacturers are beginning to use as a new marketing channel to their customers and prospects. The first wave of pathology and clinical laboratories are establishing a presence on such popular social networking web sites as Facebook.com, MySpace.com, YouTube.com, and Twitter.com.
Clinical laboratory marketing experts are using social networking sites like these to push products and services and to interact with customers. These sites allow pathologists, clinical labs, in vitro diagnostics manufacturers, and other companies to promote themselves and to tout the performance of their services and products by connecting lab directors and pathologists to physician clients and consumers in ways that were not possible years ago.
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May 17, 2010 | Laboratory Pathology, Management & Operations
Here in Glasgow, Scotland, clinical laboratory directors share successes with TLA and Lean
Use of total laboratory automation (TLA) in clinical pathology laboratories now often involves use of process improvement and Lean techniques. That’s one insight that emerged from a special extended session on medical laboratory automation and process improvement at the Association for Clinical Biochemistry’s annual Focus meeting in Glasgow, Scotland last week.
As a trend, it shows how process improvement and Lean are becoming important management tools for pathologists and clinical laboratory managers. In vitro diagnostics (IVD) manufacturers have recognized this development and often provide expertise or consulting assistance on process improvement methods to help medical laboratory managers. The goal is to use process workflow redesign and Lean Six Sigma methods to design the most efficient way to handle specimens, then support this work flow with the best laboratory automation solutions.
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