Medical Laboratory Observer articles from July 2005

Medical Laboratory Observer archives from July 2005

For the love of a hamster ...(From the editor)(Editorial)
July 1, 2005... With no identifiable spring, summer, autumn, or winter here in Florida, I cannot yet discern subtle differences between its dry and wet seasons. A friend says that it is also alligator mating season. A small one arrived at her neighbor's...

Another candidate for the "top 10".(Readers respond)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Although I do not disagree with any of the instruments chosen by Roy Midyett in his excellent article, "Ten instruments that changed the lab," [MLO, May 2005, p. 30], I suggest that there is at least one instrument that he overlooked that, in...

Rockin' to the oldies.(Readers respond)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... I sit here listening to the '50s radio station as I type this. Loved the article on 10 instruments that changed the lab. I worked 1962-1967 in Ohio, 1967-1985 in Reno, and 1987-2004 in Coeur d'Alene, then took a year off to travel. I retired in...

A note of thanks.(Readers respond)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Just wanted to thank you for the excellent BNP/NT-proBNP article in this month's MLO [May 2005, "Understanding the natriuretic peptides" by Mary Lou Gantzer, PhD, p. 24]. Our system, East Florida Division of HCA (14 laboratories--13 hospitals...

Promising new prion research.(News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Promising new prion research. The June 3rd issue of Science reported that research conducted by the National Institutes of Health suggests that brain damage caused by transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) infections would be lessened if...

Rapid results lead to higher HIV testing rates.(News)
July 1, 2005... Rapid results lead to higher HIV testing rates. Nonprofit AIDS organizations in Atlanta, GA, are attributing a significant rise in HIV testing to their use of the rapid oral test OraQuick. News of increased numbers seeking HIV testing is...

Potential Marburg and Ebola vaccines.(Global disease)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Potential Marburg and Ebola vaccines. A team of scientists from the Public Health Agency of Canada in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Fort Detrick, MD, reported in the June online issue...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
July 1, 2005... * In the May 2005 Observatory, the contact phone number provided for COLA's POL 101, to be held July 21-22 at the Westin Casuarina Hotel and Spa in Las Vegas, was incorrect. The correct phone number for contacting conference coordinator Tricia...

The nature of emerging zoonotic diseases: ecology, prediction, and prevention.(Cover Story)
July 1, 2005... CONTINUING EDUCATION To earn CEUs, see test on page 20. LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Identify characteristics of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). 2. Identify the most important variable driving EIDs. 3. Identify 11 major...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
July 1, 2005... The following anatomic pathology system descriptions appear with the correct product photographs. The June 2005 Product Focus [p. 40] has been corrected in MLO's online version and for reprint purposes. Integration made simple ...

Hematology automation aids in athletic testing.(CLINICAL ISSUES)
July 1, 2005... In keeping with standards set forth by many international sports associations, the International Cycling Union (UCI) recently tested participants in its Elite Track World Championships--held at the ADT Event Center's velodrome in Carson,...

Size up this critical medical laboratory automation component.(CLINICAL ISSUES)
July 1, 2005... Automation is a critical component in the progress and evolution of any medical laboratory. But automating a laboratory and all of its processes is not simply a matter of plugging in a few machines and watching samples line up for testing....

The telltale signs of a consummate lab professional.(LAB MANAGEMENT)
July 1, 2005... Professionalism has an elusive nature. If someone were to ask for a definition, a good bet is that (1) defining behaviors that are not professional rather than behaviors that are professional and (2) thinking of people who exhibit...

Paul Touhey: FDI focuses on health.(Executive snapshot)
July 1, 2005... Developmental timeline: Some of the main challenges of developing oncology diagnostic products are the time, commitment, and investment required to improve on an available test or to identify and build a solution for an entirely new diagnostic...

Ensuring staff cooperation.(human resource management)
July 1, 2005... Q I am a new lab manager with no previous management experience. I am constantly encountering problems with the day-shift personnel, who have been employed here for over 20 years. I feel like I have to baby-sit them constantly. They gripe and...

Protect professional credentials.
July 1, 2005... Q For many years, I supervised a licensed clinical laboratory in New York state. When the lab changed to a POL (physician office laboratory), I was listed as the "laboratory consultant." I am no longer affiliated with the lab and have worked in...

Prothrombin times and INR.(international normalized ratio)
July 1, 2005... Q The pharmacists at our facility want the INR (international normalized ratio) reported regardless of the patient's PT (prothrombin time), be it 20 seconds, 100 seconds, or 150 seconds. The pharmacists say they need the exact INR in order to...

Question patients about fasting.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Q My fellow technologists say it is not our responsibility to ask patients if they are fasting before we draw their blood for lipid profile tests. What do you recommend? A If your fellow technologists are saying that it is not their...

Fastidious staphylococci spp.
July 1, 2005... Q Our laboratory occasionally isolates staphylococci species that are C[O.sub.2]-dependent. We are able to identify the isolate; however, it will not grow on the Vitek panel or on regular Mueller-Hinton agar in a non-C[O.sub.2] incubator. CLSI...

Sperm in wet preps.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Q When viewing a Trichomonas wet prep, should we report out sperm if they are found in the sample? Our policy has always been not to report them, but recently a couple of doctors have been asking for this. What do you recommend? A When a...

Chewing gum in the lab.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Q In a recent update of our lab's safety manual, we stipulated that eating, drinking, and smoking are not allowed in the lab. Our staff members are questioning the definition of eating in the lab. They contend that chewing gum should not be...

Follow in the footsteps of an international CLS.(EDUCATION)
July 1, 2005... Many young people today have opportunities to visit exotic places through international clubs, sports, and relief agencies. Faith-based service with contributions to missions is also a popular avenue. My latest project involved a mission...

Closed-tube sampling.(UniCel DxC 600 )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The second in this series--the first was the UniCel DxI 800 Access immunoassay system in 2004--is the new UniCel DxC 600 Synchron clinical system, which offers a broad test menu and delivers flexible connectivity for greater workstation...

Touch-screen technology.(Product focus: Lab automation systems)
July 1, 2005... This new system, BIOMIC [V.sup.3], introduces touch-screen technology to instantly read and interpret standard disk diffusion testing with 2005 CLSI guidelines. [V.sup.3] also reads many brands of ID kits and CHROMagar plates by color digital...

Decap, aliquot, and sort.
July 1, 2005... Enhance productivity in medium- to high-volume laboratories with the OLA2500 Lab Automation System and the new OLA2500 High Speed Sorter. Front-end sample processor OLA2500 saves time and labor, and reduces errors during pre- and...

Streamlined staining system.(Product focus: Lab automation systems)
July 1, 2005... The i6000 staining system has high throughput and walk-away automation, and is bar coded for streamlined operation. This system has the capability for simultaneous IHC, ISH, and special stains. Bar-coded slides and reagent vials require minimal...

Pre and post modules.
July 1, 2005... The MODULAR PRE-ANALYTICS PLUS System offers extended sorting functionality for all sample types with the new PSS (presorting) and FSS (flexible sample sorter) modules. To "in lab" all sample types, including hematology and coagulation, the...

Autourinalysis system.
July 1, 2005... The iQ200 Automated Urine Microscopy Analyzer's digital imaging and AutoParticle Recognition software classify urine particles into 12 categories: RBCs, WBCs and WBC clumps, hyaline and unclassified casts, squamous and nonsquamous epithelial...

Microplate processing automation.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Freedom EVOlyzer is a new enzyme immunoassay (EIA) analyzer that offers fully automated microplate processing. This instrument is a dedicated EVO plat-form for reliable EIA processing; it includes state-of-the-art reader, washer, and...

Database sharing capability.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... CellaVision DM8, an automated digital cell morphology system for medium-size hematology labs, locates and preclassifies various types of white and red blood cells, with semi-automated slide handling of eight slides at a time. The system can...

ID E coli.(Industry spotlight)
July 1, 2005... A chromogenic medium, BBL CHROMagar Orientation, uses enzymatic reactions to enable ID of E coli and Enterococcus without additional confirmatory testing from urine specimens. Nonselective, nutritive medium isolates and IDs both Gram-positive...

23 analytes.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... Three-level human-serum-based controls, Liquid QC ImmuTROL Serum Protein Controls now have a three-year shelf life at 2[degrees]C to 8[degrees]C and are ready to use straight out of the fridge. Analytes include ALB, AAG, AAT, A2M, ASO, AT3,...

Extended reportable ranges.(Industry spotlight)
July 1, 2005... The extended reportable ranges for white blood cells and platelet parameters (Upper: 405,000 and 3.6 million, respectively) in the new calibration verification assessment (CVA)/hematology linearity kit allow verification of the extreme upper...

Fast VTE results.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... The HemosIL D-Dimer assay is approved for use as an aid in the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism, including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Cost-effective, the product generates faster results (results in seven minutes) than...

Chill specimens/samples.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... The new TF400 flakers--air-cooled or water-cooled--deliver approximately 400 lbs. per day of soft, moldable flake ice--for chilling specimens and samples. The 19" wide X 17" high modular flake ice-makers have a stainless steel frame and cabinet...

Automated HCV test.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... New to the USA, a fully automated HCV (hepatitis C virus) test is available for use with the AxSYM auto-immunoassay instrument systems. Results within 23 minutes mean quick and efficient testing. The test is sensitive and specific, designed and...

High throughput.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... For use on Dade Behring's Dimension ARx, RxL, and Xpand chemistry analyzers, the homocysteine reagent is available in flex cartridges, with a time to first result of 10 minutes and a throughput of more than 500 tests per hour. Three levels of...

POC in ER.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... A recent waiver for the OSOM Trichomonas Rapid Test expands its use into point-of-care settings, such as emergency rooms, OB/GYN and family physician offices, public health labs, STD clinics, and reference labs. Its immunochromotographic...

Calibrated loops.(Industry spotlight)
July 1, 2005... The LoopCaddy is a sturdy, acrylic, inoculation loop-holding and dispensing system. The loop-dispensing system saves hood and/or tabletop space, and adds the convenience of resealing the loops to ensure sterility. Loops are calibrated and...

Benchtop centrifuge.(Industry spotlight)
July 1, 2005... The OptiSpin package includes the Rotina 35 centrifuge, a four-place swing-out rotor, and four 12-place rotor blocks. This bench-top unit provides high-volume centrifugation for specimen receiving, general sample spin-downs, and platelet-poor...

Rapid antigen detection.(Industry spotlight)
July 1, 2005... A Chlamydia/RSV/VZV/CMV fluorescent monoclonalantibody reagent kit for rapid, accurate antigen detection is now available. In cell culture for chlamydia, the kit detects all known serotypes of C trachomatis and C psittaci, and pre-CPE ID...

Economical water systems.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... Two new laboratory water systems, PURELAB Option-Q and PURELAB Classic, offer economical, high-performance systems for producing 18.2 megohm-cm water for a variety of applications. Four Classic models, each delivering up to 15 liters per...

No oxygen exposure.(Industry spotlight)
July 1, 2005... A video for the Bactron Anaerobic Systems covers the efficient practice of anaerobic bacteriology. To prevent contamination of specimens by oxygen, the Bactron Chambers line allows glove-free handling and inspection of samples with module...

DAT management.(Industry spotlight)
July 1, 2005... A Web-based suite of easy-to-use management services for drug-testing programs, TrackMyResults keeps information confidential and secure without investment in software or installation. Automation of viewing results; managing donors,...

Verifier kit for HDL/LDL.(Industry spotlight)
July 1, 2005... A new HDL Cholesterol Verifier Kit for calibration verification of serum HDL and LDL cholesterol test systems comes in a liquid stable format with a 12-month shelf life. The kit contains no surfactants, glycols, or azide. A value-assignment...

Cost-effective analyzer.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... This new 16-parameter, three-part hematology analyzer fits into small spaces and offers accurate, reliable, and fast patient results with operator ease. Features include open or closed vial sampling and bar coding for positive sample ID. The...

Towelette dispensers.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... Several specially designed dispensers for storing Bio-Hazard and HYPE-WIPE (mini, regular, and extra strength) bleach towelettes are available in clear acrylic or white-coated cardboard. Free samples of Bio-Hazard wipes and HYPE-WIPE bleach...

Biochip imaging system.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... evidence investigator is a biochip imaging system within the reach of routine labs. A key feature is its ability to analyze a panel of related tests simultaneously using a single patient sample. The product profiles drugs of abuse or cytokine...

Ergonomic chairs.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... The line of Microtech chairs for Class 20 clean rooms and Class 10 combo clean room/static control apps have height/width-adjustable armrests and additional optional controls for seat/backrest adjustment. Depending on the model, backrest height...

Strain-less pipettes.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... The Eppendorf Research family of pipettes offers fixed-volume, adjustable-volume, and multichannel models as well as the electronic Eppendorf Research pro Pipette. The ergonomics include an enlarged operating button for thumb-friendly handling;...

Lab labeling system.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... New LABELShop 2010-PC and MaxiLabelV2 Windows software are designed for labs that need durable labels in-house and on-demand. Images on polyester adhesive-backed tape can label vials, tubes, straws, slides, shelves, well plates, tissue samples,...

Organization rack.(Industry spotlight)
July 1, 2005... The new Working Vial Rack is designed to store, segregate, and allow quick retrieval of controls and calibrators. The 10" durable acrylic rack has four pie-shaped segments, nested in a revolving base, each with three 30-mm and five 24-mm holes....

Safety tube holder.(Industry spotlight)
July 1, 2005... The QUICKSHIELD single-use safety blood-collection tube holder is designed for use with VACUETTE needles and plastic evacuated blood-collection tubes as a system in routine venipuncture procedures. The safety shield can be activated to cover...

Easy QM.(Industry spotlight)
July 1, 2005... Lab QMS meets the needs of healthcare labs, making accreditation and quality management easier and less costly. The automated Audit Manager enables better accreditation compliance in a fraction of the time. Software also includes complete...

Cytology funnels.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... These new cytology funnels can be used to deposit a thin layer of cells in a clearly defined area of a microscope slide. The filter card absorbs any excess fluid. Easy-to-follow instructions are included in each pack. Funnels are fully...

Cryogenic packaging.(Industry spotlight)(Buyers Guide)
July 1, 2005... A series of reusable, cost-effective shipping containers, Cryoporter L2N Dry-Shipper, features vaporized nitrogen to keep contents cold. It holds certification from ICAO and IATA for safely shipping diagnostic or infectious frozen specimens,...

AMT monitors the legislative "pulse".(American Medical Technologists )
July 1, 2005... American Medical Technologists (AMT) is somewhat unique among laboratory organizations in that it serves the dual roles of a certifying body and a professional membership association that provides its members an important benefit in the form of...