Lung cancer-related testing is receiving a lot of attention, but recent results appear to show mixed benefits for these emerging tests. There is an urgent need to improve lung cancer risk assessment, … [Read more...]
SPECIAL FOCUS
New Test Aids Lung Cancer Risk Assessment, But Survival Benefit of Comprehensive Sequencing Questioned
September 14, 2018
SPECIAL FOCUS
Cost Avoidance vs Cost Savings: What’s the Difference?
August 31, 2018
By Jennifer Dawson, MHA, DLM (ASCP) bio As I work to spread awareness within the clinical laboratory community about the Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) concept and its benefits as a method to … [Read more...]
SPECIAL FOCUS
Noninvasive Gene Expression Test for Melanoma Cuts Costs
August 13, 2018
The noninvasive pigmented lesion assay (PLA; DermTech) reduces costs compared to the current standard of care for diagnostic workup of pigmented skin lesions suggestive of melanoma, according to a … [Read more...]
PRECISION MEDICINE
General Population Has Interest in Genetic Testing for Skin Cancer Risk
August 1, 2018
There is moderately high interest and follow through among the general population for genetic testing to determine melanoma skin cancer risk, according to a study published in JAMA Dermatology. … [Read more...]
INDUSTRY TRENDS
Diagnostics Industry Responding to Opioid Epidemic
October 23, 2017
Prescription opioids are among the most common drugs prescribed and are the most effective treating for pain, whether it is debilitating, chronic pain or temporary pain, such as after surgery. While … [Read more...]
LAB SAFETY
Fanning the Flames
October 16, 2017
By Dan Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) bio Story #1: The fire started in the university chemistry laboratory when a research student used a flammable chemical too close to the open … [Read more...]
LAB SAFETY
By the Numbers: Lab Injury and Exposure Data
August 21, 2017
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...]
MANAGING THE LAB
Why Your Best Talent is Leaving and Four Ways to Win Them Back
June 19, 2017
By William A. Schiemann, Ph.D bio Most leaders of companies today recognize the importance of having engaged people at work. Yet research from the Metrus Institute, Gallup, and others say … [Read more...]
EMPLOYMENT LAW
Employment Law Update for HR Managers
June 12, 2017
By Mike O'Brien bio This is my periodic update prepared for interested HR professionals trying to deal with the complex American employment laws. Federal Appeals Court says sexual … [Read more...]
DOJ
Medical Necessity Requirement Bites Anatomic Pathologists
June 6, 2017
By Robert Mazer bio The DOJ has announced two separate settlements involving claims for allegedly unnecessary special stains. Medicare permits a pathologist to order special stains when … [Read more...]
