By Jennifer Dawson, MHA, FACHE, CPHQ, LSSBB, DLM(ASCP)SLS, QIHC, QLC bio There is a lot of talk these days about integrating the laboratory into patient-centered care teams1 and about … [Read more...]
SAFETY
Ergonomics in the Laboratory Setting
July 28, 2019
By Dan Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) bio Sometimes when I am talking about lab safety and the topic turns to ergonomics, I get an unusual reaction from the audience—laughter. It … [Read more...]
LAB SAFETY
Changes in hazardous waste management: the Generator Improvement Rule
June 3, 2019
By Dan Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) bio If you haven't heard by now, you should know that the EPA published its Generator Improvement Rule (GIR) in 2016. It is an update to the … [Read more...]
PATIENT SAFETY
Diagnostics & Demographics: Is Your Lab Prepared to Accommodate an Aging Population?
November 5, 2018
Talk of an aging population isn't idle chatter. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2030 will mark a significant turning point in the nation's history. By then, all baby boomers will be older than … [Read more...]
LAB SAFETY
The Safety Interpretation
September 10, 2018
By Dan Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) bio When hospitals were placed on OSHA's list of "high-risk" workplaces, no one had to ask why. OSHA adjusts that list based on the number of … [Read more...]
COMPLIANCE
Where’s your lab safety manual?
August 6, 2018
By Dan Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) bio Laboratory leadership should be committed to providing a safe working environment, and they should believe their employees have a right to … [Read more...]
SAFETY
Diagnostic danger in the lab: Time to reform how we process orders
April 16, 2018
By Oleg Bess, M.D. bio I don't know about you, but I was stunned by the findings from a recent report published by Coverys, a national liability insurer, which I feel should put the entire … [Read more...]
LAB SAFETY
FDA Watch: Agency Approves DTC Genetic Breast Cancer Test—But Attaches Strings
April 3, 2018
On March 6, the FDA announced its first ever approval of a direct-to-consumer breast cancer gene test—23andMe's genetic health risk report for detecting BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations most commonly … [Read more...]
LAB SAFETY
FDA Watch: Extra Time for Comments on CLIA IVD Waiver Proposals
February 27, 2018
Securing CLIA waivers for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices from the FDA is a time-consuming and cumbersome process So, the FDA won rare plaudits from the industry on Nov. 29, 2017, by setting … [Read more...]
LAB SAFETY
Emergency Staffing ABCs
January 22, 2018
By Dan Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) bio When I was growing up near Buffalo, New York, experiencing two snow storms in three weeks was no big deal; in fact, it was rather commonplace. … [Read more...]
