By Dan Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) bio Finding information about the number of Laboratory Acquired Infections (LAIs) and other laboratory injuries in the United States is difficult. … [Read more...]
PUBLIC HEALTH
Lessons from Ebola Can Enhance Future Diagnostic Preparedness
August 17, 2017
"Failures" in diagnostic preparedness, including testing capacity, led to delays in identifying the Ebola virus as the culprit of the 2014-2015 epidemic and contributed to the outbreak's … [Read more...]
NEWS
Inside the Diagnostics Industry: At-Home Testing Options Expanding
August 17, 2017
There is a proliferation of companies offering at-home testing. In some cases these are mail-in tests where patients collect their own samples (blood, mouth swab, urine, or stool) and mail them into a … [Read more...]
EMERGING TESTS
IgE Testing May Be Underused in Dermatology
August 17, 2017
Allergists have long used immunoglobulin E quantitative assaying of allergens (IgEQAA) to determine reactivates for allergies associated with a runny nose and asthma. However, the test is not widely … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Utility of Whole-Genome Sequencing in Primary Care Uncertain
August 17, 2017
Adding whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to standardized family history assessment of healthy patients in the primary care setting uncovers new molecular findings, although the findings prompt additional … [Read more...]
PRECISION MEDICINE
Companion Diagnostics Driving New Model for Pharma-Dx Partnerships
August 17, 2017
With a growing number of approvals for companion diagnostics, the pharmaceutical industry is taking keen interest in testing uptake and thinking about steps it can take to further drive testing. A … [Read more...]
EMERGING TESTS
FDA Approves First Companion Diagnostic Panel
August 17, 2017
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted premarket approval to Thermo Fisher Scientific (Carlsbad, Calif.) for a nextgeneration sequencing (NGS)-based companion diagnostic that … [Read more...]
INDUSTRY TRENDS
Lab-Pharmacy Partnerships Expand Retail Lab Testing Trend
August 17, 2017
Another undeniable sign that commercialization of health care is making meaningful inroads on Main Street with the late June partnership announcement between the laboratory chain Quest Diagnostics … [Read more...]
EMERGING TESTS
Sequencing-Based Screening Needed for Therapeutic Stem Cells
August 14, 2017
One of the potential therapeutic advantages of stem cells is that they can regenerate. But, a new study, published May 11 in Nature, suggests that the longer stem cell lines replicate the more … [Read more...]
EMPLOYMENT LAW
Employment Law Update for August 2017
August 14, 2017
By Mike O'Brien bio Here is my periodic update prepared for interested HR professionals trying to deal with the complex American employment laws. In this update: REPEAL? REPAIR? REPLACE? … [Read more...]
