Medical Laboratory Observer articles from August 2007

Medical Laboratory Observer archives from August 2007

Zac's rocky mountain high.(From the editor)(Editorial)
August 1, 2007... "I knew he wasn't real pilot material--he had actually studied his manuals and didn't talk about girls," said Flight Instructor Clancy Prevost about Zacarias Moussaoui. Conspiring to kill Americans in 9/11's terrorist events won him a life...

Dedicated reader's kind words.(Readers respond)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... I really enjoyed your From the editor for June [Part IV: Tradition in transition, "Beware the lobster," p. 4]. I recognize the humor of Dave Barry and agree that we all have FEAR. I do not know Erik Erikson, but thanks to you and your...

EHR at AACC.(Readers respond)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... I just received the June issue of MLO, and on p. 28, in an article about HIPAA [HIPAA: Where are we now?], the author, Gary Burkhartsmeier, in the last two paragraphs comments about clinical laboratorians need[ing] to be part of the development...

Third-shift stereotype?(Readers respond)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... As a person entering [her] 25th year of work in the clinical laboratory, with 13 of those years spent on the third shift serving as the senior technologist for 12 of those 13, I must register my disgust at a comment that was printed in the June...

Infectious diseases.(The Observatory)
August 1, 2007... * TDR focuses on diseases of poverty. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced its plan to adopt a more expansive strategy to prevent and control the most poverty-related infectious diseases. The WHO's Special Programme for Research and...

Conferences.(The Observatory)(Conference news)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... * Aug. 29. The AABB hosts an audioconference, "Supplier Qualifications, Equipment-Reagents and Vendors" from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET. Director Sally Rudumann, PhD, MT(ASCB) SBB will touch on requirements for vendor qualification, how to...

HIV/AIDS.(The Observatory)
August 1, 2007... * "Natural barrier" to HIV. A recent HealthDay report says researchers have discovered that cells in the mucosal lining of human genitals produce a protein that "eats up" invading HIV infection. The protein produced by the Langerhans cells is...

News.(The Observatory)
August 1, 2007... * Another "hitchhiker's guide" now out. MLO's Christopher S. Frings, PhD, CSP--full-time professional speaker, consultant, and entertainer--penned a new book entitled A Hitchhiker's Guide To Self-Management and Leadership, released in June. He...

Ethics: A code for the laboratory.(COVER STORY)(Viewpoint essay)
August 1, 2007... The subject of ethics has become relevant once again since the 2004 expose of fraudulent laboratory practices involving HIV and hepatitis testing at the Maryland General Hospital. After congressional hearings into accrediting organizations...

Ethos and the laboratory leader.(Cover story)
August 1, 2007... Ethics represents what people should do, not necessarily what they must do. Ethics express one's conscience or morality rather than acquiescence to legal decrees.(1) Some people believe ethics to be "plain common sense--just doing the right...

Clarification.(Correction notice)
August 1, 2007... Clarification: In MLO's June 2007 issue, the cover story on page 12--"Potential and pitfalls of NBS, and the reference lab's role" by Dennis William Bartholomew, MD--was followed by a sidebar written by Dennis J. Ernst, MT(ASCP), on page 19...

CE test on ethics: a code for the laboratory, plus ethos and the laboratory leader.(CONTINUING EDUCATION)
August 1, 2007... MLO and Northern Illinois University (NIU), DeKalb, IL, are co-sponsors in offering continuing education units (CEUs) for this issue's article on ETHICS: A CODE FOR THE LABORATORY, PLUS ETHOS AND THE LABORATORY LEADER. CEUs or contact hours are...

Defining accuracy and precision.(CLINICAL ISSUES)(Reprint)
August 1, 2007... Liquid delivery is a common laboratory process, and this critical function is often overlooked. As a result, routine research and tests results can be in error based on simple misunderstanding or misapplication of liquid-delivery instruments....

Health and safety issues in lab design.(LAB MANAGEMENT)
August 1, 2007... Labs are inherently dangerous working environments. Procedures performed and materials utilized require the inclusion of specific design criteria and considerations mandated by building code regulatory agencies to ensure a safe and healthy...

Suzuki grows a global Fujirebio.(Executive snapshot)(Company overview)
August 1, 2007... International market. Fujirebio, together with SRL Laboratories in 2005, established Miraca Holdings, whose creation has enabled all segments of our business to better serve the worldwide community of laboratory professionals. Our business...

When lab techs find a love outside the lab; A conversation about changing life goals.(EDUCATION)
August 1, 2007... We invited medical laboratory scientists who have ventured outside of the laboratory to pursue another career to share with us some of their thoughts on being inside and outside of the lab. Here are three viewpoints concerning changing goals...

Addressing management issues.(Management Q&A)(Column)
August 1, 2007... Need paperwork reduction Q Can you provide guidance for a small rural hospital, where the lab uses a small laboratory information system (LIS), but the hospital itself does not have a hospital information system (HIS). The LIS itself...

Answering your questions.(Tips from the clinical experts)(Column)
August 1, 2007... Blood-bank inquiries and HIPAA Q It is common practice in blood bank to contact other hospital(s) when patients with cross-match problems are encountered. How does this practice conflict with the Health Insurance Portability and...

Gossip in the laboratory.(Liability and the lab)(Column)
August 1, 2007... Q We have an enormous problem with gossiping in our lab. One technologist who delights in passing around the latest rumors about everyone here. This has resulted in many injured feelings--some serious--and a decrease in teamwork. When this...

Fusion of functionality and ergonomics.(Lab apparel)
August 1, 2007... Absorbent Disposable Glove Inserts, a new product developed to be worn inside any type of rubber, synthetic resin, and other protective gloves, are made I from a non-woven material, which absorbs sweat. By absorbing sweat produced inside a...

Footwear stands up to rigors of lab.(Lab apparel)
August 1, 2007... These lightweight clogs offer protection and comfort. They have oil-and acid-resistant uppers, anti-slip sole, and anti-static properties for safe use around equipment. Every detail from the sole up is meant to improve the well being of your...

Lab coats for protection.(Lab apparel)
August 1, 2007... Kleenguard A40 Liquid & Particle Protection Lab Coats are made from a microporous film laminate fabric that offers superior particle holdout while allowing excellent breathability. A wide variety of advantages of liquid and particle protection...

A fashion smart (and safe) idea.(Lab apparel)
August 1, 2007... A problem many medical professionals face is unwittingly transmitting infections through clothing. Safety Ties is a line of 24 necktie designs processed with an antimicrobial coating, which creates a resistance to germs that reside in fabric...

Hot off the press.(Lab apparel)
August 1, 2007... A new catalog of quality products and services is available for the laboratory market. While you may be familiar with this laboratory supplier and distributor of occupational health and safety products, you may never have considered how these...

Gloves for high-risks.(Lab apparel)
August 1, 2007... Microflex Ultra One latex gloves come in 10 Mil, 11-inch or 6 Mil, 9-inch lengths. The gloves offer tactile sensitivity to perform delicate tasks, yet provide high-risk protection. Made with FDA-accepted materials, low protein levels decrease...

Lab coats galore.(Lab apparel)
August 1, 2007... Protection Plus unisex and ladies' jackets, and short and long lab coats are available white, cell blue, emerald green, and royal. Jackets sport raglan sleeves for extra shoulder room. Lab coats have side vents for access to pant pockets....

Dress for success.(Lab apparel)
August 1, 2007... The latest in a series of emerging infections--avian flu--is featured in blue or black on products like 100% silk ties and "biobows," boxer shorts, scarves, and notecards. From mold to aspergillus to penicillium to MRSA, these beautifully...

Precise temperatures.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... The Laboratory Plus Series refrigerators have as standard an LR-5 microprocessor temperature controller with digital display, alarms for low temperature, power failure, door ajar with battery backup, and four-inch swivel casters. Extended...

Test Kit cleared by FDA.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... The Aspirin Works Diagnostic Test Kit is an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) to determine levels of 11-dehydro thromboxane B2 (11 dh TxB2) in human urine, which aids in the qualitative detection of aspirin effect in apparently healthy...

Automated specimen processing.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... The Model LQH inocuLAB gives two modes: liquid-specimen and streak-only. Assures consistency of culture results, and accommodates multiple microbiology workflow scenarios. Positive patient ID through automated bar coding of agar plates. No...

Improved shelf life.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... The shelf life of Enzymatic Creatinine LiquiColor reagent is now 18 months, rather than 12, and is for use with the SIRRUS bench-top clinical-chemistry analyzer. Each reagent bottle can run 100 tests, is packaged six bottles per kit, features...

Interface management.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... The ENQ offers simple multiprotocol laboratory-interface management, resolving connectivity issues between diagnostic instruments and systems, and hospital lab information systems. ENQ is compatible with various types of analyzers, software,...

One-minute kill time for TB.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... HYPE-WIPE bleach towelettes can kill TB, strep, Salmonella, and pseudomonas in 60 seconds, and MRSA, VRE, and Staph areus in two minutes. Registered with the EPA as a one-step cleaner/ disinfectant, these packaged towels have an 18-month shelf...

Disposable hemocytometer.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... The C-Chip disposable plastic hemocytometer is used for manual cell counting. Two individual counting chambers and ports for sample loading include a Neubauer improved grid pattern and integrated coverslip. Each is individually packaged. ...

Fully automated testing platform.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... The BioPlex 2200 brings workflow improvement to the laboratory. Fully automated, random access means improved turnaround time; eFlex software means LIS connectivity and touch-screen interface, and multiplex chemistry means QA with integrated QC...

Pipette tips.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... New 5-mL graduated tips for large-volume MLA and Ovation pipettes are available in non-sterile, sterile, and filtered sterile choices, with a variety of packaging configurations including new recyclable VistaClear boxes made from PETE, an inert...

UIBC reagent.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... A two-part liquid stable reagent system for the determination of unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) in serum. A 12-month shelf life has reliable on-board and calibration stabilities. Optimized for use with fully automated testing systems...

C difficile rapid toxin test.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... ImmunoCard Toxins A&B is fast, accurate, and the first rapid toxin A and B test. With outbreaks of C difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) linked to a new epidemic strain, the need for an easy-to-use test increases. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Automated Inhibin a assay.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... For the quantitative determination of dimeric inhibin A levels in human serum and plasma, try the first automated assay for this purpose: Access Inhibin A. Delivers a time to first result in about 56 minutes. Offers 28-day calibration and...

Consumable products catalog.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... A new full-color 16-page brochure describes the company's consumable products for the histology lab. Featured items include cassettes fully resistant to lab chemicals, Histowax highly purified paraffin, EasyDip staining jars and racks, and a...

9-minute STAT PTH.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... The 9-minute STAT parathyroid hormone (PTH) test for the Elecsys 1010/2010 systems and cobas 3411 analyzer. This immunoassay for in-vitro quantitative determination of intact PH in human serum/plasma for differential diagnosis of hyper--and...

New centrifuge packages.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... A new CentraSpin Plus Package for low-volume sample processing has a 64% higher capacity and a 1,000 rpm increase to the original. The Universal 320 centrifuge ; has a 4-place swing-out rotor, four buckets with inserts, and a total spin...

Prevent waterborne contamination.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... The Nichipet EX Autoclavable Digital Micro Pipette is designed for fatigue-free operations, and features an enlarged finger rest, easy-to-use digital counter for setting sample volume, and... a push-button I extractor. Offered in eight sizes...

Prevent waterborne contamination.(Industry spotlight)
August 1, 2007... The AquaTec water preservation cell for effective prevention of waterborne contamination in C[O.sup.2] incubators and water baths is designed to provide worry-free sample incubation and cell culture. Protects against more than 600 types of...

State and federal legislation in personalized medicine.(Washington report)
August 1, 2007... Personalized medicine has found new applications in healthcare today due to innovative tools and technologies that allow for a greater "degree" of personalization. One area of great interest is that of pharmacogenetic tests, which utilize tools...

Quality is no accident.(From the editor)(Editorial)
August 1, 2007... "Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives." This in-depth definition of the word quality is...

Table of critical limits.(Table)
August 1, 2007... Critical limits define the boundaries of the life threatening values of laboratory test results. Critical results, also called critical values, are those that fall outside the high and low critical limits. Urgent clinician notification of...

Table of reference intervals.(Table)
August 1, 2007... Specimen Test S Albumin B Base excess P Bicarbonate S/P Bilirubin, conjugated S/P Bilirubin, total S/P Calcium, total S/P C[O.sup.2] content, venous P Chloride S/P ...

Critical values for therapeutic drug levels.(Table)
August 1, 2007... The concept of critical values for drug levels was developed by Daniel M. Baer, MD, professor emeritus of laboratory medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, and first published in the April 1982 issue of MLO. This table is an...

Cut-off and toxicity levels for drugs-of-abuse testing.(Table)
August 1, 2007... This table summarizes information useful in the interpretation of drugs-of-abuse assays. It was developed by Daniel M. Baer, MD, professor emeritus of pathology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland OR, and updated by Richard A. Paulson,...

Product information.(Directory)
August 1, 2007... AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ACCREDITATION 5301 Buckeystown Pike, Suite 350 Frederick, MD 21704 Ordering/Pricing/Services Information Phone: (301) 644-3248 Fax: (301) 662-2974 E-mail: info@A2LA.org Website:...