Medical Laboratory Observer articles from March 2003

Medical Laboratory Observer archives from March 2003

Pass the biscuits, and watch your mouth. (From the Editor).(human papilloma virus)
March 1, 2003... Human papilloma virus (HPV) would definitely not be a topic approved for polite dinner table conversation in the home where I grew up. That's no surprise. When we did a Web search for art ideas for this issue of MLO, we could see why: The...

More education needed. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... I am writing in responses to the article in your magazine about throwing tube holders away after each use. This would be impossible for our hospital. I would need to carry two pouches over my shoulders, one to carry at least 15 clean holders...

Find new employment. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... There is another valid answer to the question, "When should a phlebotomist ask for help with a difficult draw?" posed in the January issue. That is when the patient says, "I have bad veins," or "I am a difficult bleed." These patients...

Blessed by special children. (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... I enjoyed your article about your nephew Ben very much. I think that you and your family will need Ben as much as he needs you. --Nancy Riggins, BS, MT (ASCP) Specialist, Quality Assurance Providence Hospital Washington, D.C. I was...

HHS to propose increased funding for cancer screening. (News).(United States Department of Health and Human Services)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... President Bush will propose a $10 million increase in funding for breast and cervical cancer screening to help low-income and underserved women, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced recently. The proposed increase is...

HHS extends use of rapid HIV test to new sites nationwide. (News).(United States Department of Health and Human Services)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has extended the availability of a recently approved rapid HIV test from the current 38,000 laboratories to more than 100,000 sites, including physicians' offices and HIV counseling centers. The...

Cholesterol Reference Method Laboratory Network updates website. (News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Cholesterol Reference Method Laboratory Network (CRMLN) has recently updated its website. The revised site includes current lists of diagnostic test methods for measurement of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol that have...

More HPV types linked to cervical cancer. (News).(human papilloma virus)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Researchers have now identified 18 types of human papilloma virus (HPV) that have been associated with cervical cancer, including three new ones, according to a recent report in The New England Journal of Medicine. It is now accepted that...

Task force recommends more diabetes screening. (News).(United States Preventive Services Task Force)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults with high blood pressure or high cholesterol be screened for type 2 diabetes. The recommendation is part of an integrated approach to reduce cardiovascular disease. The group...

CRP improves cardiovascular risk prediction in metabolic syndrome. (Proteomics).(C-reactive protein)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) can help predict cardiovascular risk in women with metabolic syndrome, according to Harvard research reported recently in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. High levels of CRP, a...

AHA/CDC panel issues recommendations on CRP testing. (Proteomics).(American Heart Association)(United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)(C-reactive protein test)
March 1, 2003... A panel of experts convened by the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending limited use of a new blood test that has been widely promoted for assessing heart disease risk--the highly...

The HPV DNA virus hybrid capture assay: what is it--and where do we go from here? (Cover Story).(human papillomavirus infections)
March 1, 2003... New testing methods for human papilloma virus (HPV), such as the Digene Hybrid Capture 2 HPV DNA Test ([hc.sub.2] HPV DNA Test), present both opportunities and challenges in the diagnosis and management of cervical carcinoma. The Pap smear has...

Software piracy and the laboratory. (Liability and the Lab).
March 1, 2003... Q: I have been hearing a lot about software piracy in the workplace, even radio ads encouraging businesses to "update their licenses" and encouraging people to report software piracy. How important is this issue to the lab? A: Any work...

Be the first to know with Philippe Sans: bioMerieux North America's President & CEO. (Expert Opinion).
March 1, 2003... Celia Stevens: In your view, what are the key trends that will drive the future of the clinical diagnostics industry? Philippe Sans: Diagnostic laboratories are under constant pressure to reduce costs and improve the turnaround time of test...

Virtue has its own reward, but no box office *. (Salary Survey).(salaries of clinical laboratory professionals)
March 1, 2003... This month, every movie buff's eyes are focused on the 75th Academy Awards, and the glitter and glamour that is Hollywood, As one nominee for actress in a leading role, Rene Zeiwegger's asking price of $5 million per movie probably jumped once...

Everyday QA: A case study. (Lab Management).(the Wayne County (NC) Health Department Laboratory)(quality assurance)
March 1, 2003... Ever feel like there's not enough time to develop a good quality assurance (QA) program for your laboratory? Have inspectors ever cited your laboratory for lack of documentation of ongoing QA activities? Don't dismay--remedying this situation...

Addressing management issues: nonactive medical director and core lab supervisor working too many hours. (Management Q&A).
March 1, 2003... Nonactive medical director Q: I work in a 200-bed acute care facility. Our medical director is very aloof and is disinterested in providing direction for our laboratory. This is affecting the morale of the employees. As a supervisor, what...

Refrigerators and chillers. (Product Focus).
March 1, 2003... Laboratory refrigerators and chillers serve an essential role in preserving cultures and media, which may need different environments. Appropriate temperatures are necessary for these, as well as for reagents, chemicals, and blood and blood...

Answering your questions: hemolysis in serologic specimens, infant stool collection and capillary blood for blood gasses. (Tips from the Clinical Experts).
March 1, 2003... Hemolysis in serologic specimens Q: Our laboratory performs the following serological procedures: ANA (by indirect immunofluorescence) RA, Mono and Rubella immunity screen (by rapid latex agglutination). The package inserts all warn...

Microscope slides. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... The HYDROdyne slide incorporates the company's Teflon printed mask with proprietary adhesive surface chemistry in well areas--where tissue sections/Hep-2 cells stay in place and spread evenly. Useful in immunofluorescent assay kits and in situ...

Oral fluid collection. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... Saliva * Sampler oral fluid collection device gives user visible indication when sufficient sample has been collected for subsequent analysis. A white, built-in indicator system in the device's shaft turns blue in approximately two minutes. No...

Data acquisition software. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... WinWedge Pro RS232 now includes five more software applications for solving data collection/communication problems, and interfacing with RS232 devices inputs real-time serial data directly into laboratory information systems, Excel, Access,...

Reagent dispenser module. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... The new reagent dispenser module for the FLx800 Fluorescence Microplate Reader contains a precision syringe to deliver reagents directly into wells of 6-, 12-, 24-, 48- or 96-well microplates. The injector position can be optimized for...

CK Isoenzyme method. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... New visible CK Isoenzyme assay available for SPIFE electrophoresis system provides full automation of this assay with automated sample application, reagent application and separation. Up to 40 samples can be separated into traditional MM, MB...

Protein S clotting assay. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... The ACTICLOT Protein S Activity assay measures analyte's activity in citrated plasma using dilutions of normal plasma mixed with Protein S depleted plasma. Prolongation of clotting time is direcdy proportional to concentration of Protein S in...

Disinfecting spray with bleach. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... Bleach-Rite, one-step cleaner/disinfectant for hard surfaces, has proven one-minute kill time for pseudomonas, salmonella and staphylococci. Sodium hypochlorite 1:10 dilution formula inactivates HIV/hepatitis. Used by U.S. Army Medical Research...

Document quality control. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... With 3,800+ medical symbols/templates and "drag-and-drop" diagramming, SmartDraw easy-to-use graphics software allows medical technologists/lab administrators to quickly create maintenance forms, logs, medical diagrams, daily checklists for...

Multimicrobe Transport. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... The Micro Test Multi-Microbe Transport Media is used for the transport of viruses, chlamydiae, mycoplasma and ureaplasma to clinical lab. Allows backup testing from same sample used with molecular probes, eliminates collection of multiple...

Leukocyte removal filter system. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... The SEPACELL leukocyte removal filter, designed to provide effective leukocyte depletion, is made of nonwoven web of polyester fibers: the coarse, thick prefilter for removal of microaggregates and layers of fine, thin main filter. Removal of...

Forensics Enclosure. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... Purifier Forensics Enclosure handles nonbiohazardous crime scene evidence under Class 100 conditions preventing airborne contamination/containing malodorous material. Two built-in blowers draw air down vertically through cabinet-top prefilter...

Micro-Albumin Assay. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... The Micro-Albumin B Assay allows accurate and reproducible measurement of microalbuminuria with a two- or a fivepoint calibration, based on turbidimetric immunoassay methodology utilizing both mono- and polycolonal antibodies against human...

Programmable microscope stage. (Industry Update: New Products/New Technology).
March 1, 2003... Programmable H107 motorized stage, specifically for Nikon's TE2000 inverted microscope, provides resolution down to 0.040 p and repeatability to [+ or -] 1.0 [mu]. Can be upgraded with linear scales for increased accuracy. Suitable for slides,...

Competitive bidding provokes controversy. (Washington Report).
March 1, 2003... Budgets are at the forefront as healthcare industry advocates face this year's Congressional agenda, which reflects Republican healthcare reforms. Although Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) may have an understanding of the issues...