Medical Laboratory Observer articles from November 2007

Medical Laboratory Observer archives from November 2007

Pull up a chair and share.(From the editor)(obesity )(Editorial)(Statistical data)
November 1, 2007... With all the talk about obesity in the good old USA, it seems a sin to be thinking about a menu for Thanksgiving, does it not? Is there a better time than just before the upcoming celebratory season to discuss the wisdom of watching one's...

More POCT on CBG.(Readers respond)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... The MLO reader raised an important question in the Tips Q & A, "Confirmation of critical POCT glucose," on page 42 of the September 2007 issue. The package insert for the ACCU-CHEK Comfort Curve test strips states: "In situations of decreased...

Shift happens.(Readers respond)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... In the August 2007 "Letters to the editor" [p. 7], Ms. Angela C. Brin accuses second-shifters of unnecessarily calling in third-shifters and leaving things undone to get to the bars, as well as accusing first-shifters of only caring about their...

University lab halts Ebola research.(Infectious diseases)(University of Wisconsin-Madison)(United States. National Institutes of Health)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... After the National Institutes of Health (NIH) alerted a University of Wisconsin-Madison research lab a year ago that its federally funded Ebola research was being conducted in a lab not properly secure to handle the virus, the study was...

New test for avian flu.(Infectious diseases)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The deadly H5N1 (avian) flu virus can be detected within 30 minutes of a swabbed throat, say the development researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore of their recently developed lab-on-a-chip test. The test...

Viral link to obesity gains weight.(News)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... New research is bolstering the theory that obesity could stem from a common virus, reported HealthDay in late August. A U.S. research team stressed that while the roots of obesity are probably more complex, lab tests showed exposure to...

CMS rejects new safety standards petition for genetic-testing labs.(News)(United States. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)
November 1, 2007... In a joint press release issued in September, the Genetics and Public Policy Center, the Genetic Alliance, and Public Citizen announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rejected on Aug. 30, 2007, their September 2006...

Beef patties recalled in E coli scare.(News)
November 1, 2007... The Associated Press reported on Sept. 26 that 21 people in eight states sickened by frozen hamburgers may have Escherichia coli(E coli) to blame, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Illnesses were reported in...

CAP acts against competitive bidding.(News)(College of American Pathologists)(United States. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... CAP submitted its testimony in late July to the House Committee on Small Business, requesting that Congress repeal the Medicare clinical-laboratory competitive-bidding demonstration implemented by the CMS. The demonstration--projected to begin...

FDA hunts down contaminated cans.(News)(Centers for Disease Control)(United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... When four people were sickened and hospitalized by contaminated chili sauce in mid-July, the CDC announced that the problem stemmed from a production problem in a Georgia processing plant cited two months prior. Cans came out of the...

Conferences.(The Observatory)(Brief article)(Calendar)
November 1, 2007... * Dec. 5-6. Washington G-2 Reports presents the inaugural "Lab Law and Liability Summit" held at the Fort Lauderdale Hyatt Regency. The event will focus on the nature of risk in the lab, how to control it, and the consequences of ignoring the...

Solving the puzzle of laboratory preparedness: the National Response Plan.(Cover story)
November 1, 2007... CONTINUING EDUCATION To earn CEUs, see test on page 22. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this article, the reader will: 1. Learn what the U.S. government has done to handle some of the risks that lab professionals must...

Metabolic syndrome: an update on prevalence, criteria, and laboratory testing.(CLINICAL ISSUES)(Clinical report)
November 1, 2007... A 48-year-old male with chronic renal failure presented to the emergency department in the early morning with complaints of fatigue, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing upon waking. The patient's serial laboratory results for cardiac...

One lab's path to a quality-management system.(LAB MANAGEMENT)(Franciscan Skemp Healthcare )
November 1, 2007... There has been a dramatic increase in regulatory requirements for accreditation over the past few years with heavy emphasis on continuous quality improvement. By 2004, at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare (FSH), the Department of Pathology and...

Hanna helps Ortho-Clinical change lives.(Executive snapshot)(Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics Inc.)(Personal account)
November 1, 2007... Built on a strong foundation. Although I am relatively new to Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, as I have learned about our business and its history, I am impressed that we have a strong legacy of innovation to address our customers' most pressing...

Robotics in the laboratory: where we have been and where we are going.(EDUCATION)
November 1, 2007... When most people think of robots, they think of Hollywood's cute droids that respond to a myriad of situations with unique solutions independent of human help, or of menacing evil androids bent on wresting control of the world from their human...

The Dark Report's Robert Michel extrapolates industry trends.(EDUCATION EXTRA)(Report)
November 1, 2007... When Robert Michel is not working his way around an industry trade show, he is likely on the road with his wife, Debbie, working his way around the globe. Why? Because Michel actively provides strategic advice to several laboratories and...

2nd annual EWC scholarship alert: EWC's 2007 scholars summarize experience.(EWC SCHOLARSHIP)(East-West Center)
November 1, 2007... To kick off the EWC's scholarship program this year, four laboratory professionals were selected by a panel of EWC and MLO judges to attend this year's War College. In 2008, the competition becomes a bit more difficult with only one competitor...

An update from The Joint Commission.(SPECIAL FEATURE)(Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations)
November 1, 2007... Modifications to The Joint Commission Laboratory Program are made on an ongoing basis as part of The Joint Commission's continuous efforts to improve its accreditation program. In addition, The Joint Commission modifies its processes and...

Unwarranted disciplinary action?(Addressing management issues)(managing your supervisor)(Column)
November 1, 2007... Q In response to an accusatory e-mail from my supervisor, I answered as a professional. Now I have been given a disciplinary write-up. The accusations in the write-up are harsh and exaggerated, while my supervisor's inflammatory words in his...

Motivating staff to take on projects.(Addressing management issues)(Column)
November 1, 2007... Q Like many other laboratories, we have had to improve our bottom line by increasing productivity, purchasing automated equipment, and cutting FTEs by not re-hiring open positions. Most of our staff members have been working in the field for...

Benzoylecgonine without cocaine?(Answering your questions)(Brief article)(Column)
November 1, 2007... Q Is there any other way for benzoylecgonine to be in your body other than the use of cocaine? A Benzoylecgonine is one of several metabolic products of cocaine. It is formed from the hydrolysis of cocaine and is a very specific marker for...

Usefulness of reporting RBC morphology.(Answering your questions)(red-blood-cell )(Column)
November 1, 2007... Q Can you comment on the usefulness of reporting red-blood-cell (RBC) morphology on specimens submitted for a complete blood count (CBC), as opposed to a CBC with differential? We are currently scanning a slide for any specimen with RBC...

Minimal monoclonal gammopathy.(Answering your questions)
November 1, 2007... Q How large should a monoclonal gammopathy be when doing serum protein electrophoresis before it is considered to be clinically significant? A Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is the term used to denote the...

Urine micro volume.(Answering your questions)
November 1, 2007... Q Is there any standard as to the volume of urine to be spun down for a urine microscopic? If so, if less urine is submitted, would the results of the microscopic need to adjusted for volume of sample submitted? We use the BD urinalysis tube (8...

Tests for DIC.(Answering your questions)
November 1, 2007... Q In my laboratory, we are suddenly getting quite a few requests for disseminated intravascular coagulation-(DIC) related testing. We currently do prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer, and CBC....

Dilution terminology.(Answering your questions)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Q In the hospital where I work, we are having a "dilution debate," because while documenting a sample before it is verified, most of us enter it as a x2 or x10 dilution--though some people prefer the 1:2 or 1:10 format. Confusion occurs when...

POCT glucose and patients with poor circulation.(Answering your questions)
November 1, 2007... Q Lately, we have had several instances of getting 450+ glucose readings on patients who have an underlying circulatory issue that probably should not be having capillary glucose testing. When a specimen is sent to the lab to confirm, of course...

Get it in writing.(Liability and the lab)
November 1, 2007... Q Our hospital recently approved an early-retirement plan. I was eligible and ready to accept when my supervisor came to me with an offer, including a salary increase and benefits, if I would stay on. She told me my experience was needed for...

Safer and more efficient.(Product focus: Sterilization and decontamination products)(Deardorff Fitzsimmons)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Institutions using diluted 5.25% bleach to disinfect surfaces now have a safer and more efficient means of mixing and applying bleach at the recommended 10% dilution. Activate 5.25% Institutional Bleach Dilution System has a unique two-bottle...

24-hour results.(Product focus: Sterilization and decontamination products)(ProTest Steam HealthLink)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... ProTest Steam is a self-contained biological indicator inoculated with viable Geobacillus stearothermophilus bacterial spore, and is intended for monitoring the efficacy of steam sterilization cycles (121[degrees]C gravity displacement and...

Self-contained wiping system.(Product focus: Sterilization and decontamination products)(Kimberly-Clark Corp. Professional Health Care Div.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... WetTask, a compact, self-contained wet-wiping system, is a safe, simple, and reliable alternative to using a spray bottle or open-bucket combination with a rag. It combines all cleaning steps into one, making it easy to use and versatile. With...

One-step cleaner and disinfectant.(Product focus: Sterilization and decontamination products)(Current Technology Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... BLEACH-RITE disinfecting spray is a convenient, pre-mixed, one-step cleaner/disinfectant that is now EPA registered as effective against vegetative cells of Clostridium difficile (C diff) in 30 seconds. This product is also EPA registered with...

Reliable steam sterilization.(Product focus: Sterilization and decontamination products)(Sanyo Corp.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The MLS-Series top-loading autoclaves provide a safe, reliable, high-pressure steam sterilizing environment within a self-contained unit that is easy to use for culture media preparation, lab-ware sterilization, and waste sterilization. These...

Powerful yet quiet.(Product focus: Sterilization and decontamination products)(Soniclean )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Ultrasonic cleaning is the fastest, most consistent, and safest method of cleaning instruments and components, but they emit a very high-pitched sound. Soniclean Ultrasonic Cleaners have a high-frequency transducer that allows the units to...

UV sterilization and sanitation control.(Product focus: Sterilization and decontamination products)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... XX-Series UV Bench Lamps offer a complete selection of models, for any lab needs. Shortwave ultraviolet (254 nm) radiation is a reliable and effective tool for sterilization and sanitation applications in laboratories. UV intensity can be...

Improve quality.(Industry spotlight)
November 1, 2007... Assuring the Right Quality Right is a manual that provides a coherent explanation of CLIA, EQC, ISO, CLSI, accreditation guidelines, patient safety, risk management, and Six Sigma. It identifies the nexus of current regulations and professional...

Responsive, reliable, and ready.(Industry spotlight)(Eppendorf AG)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The user-friendly Thermomixer R offers maximum application versatility for sample preparations that require shaking, heating, and cooling. Its active heating/cooling function has greatly expanded its application and temperature-control ranges....

All makes, models, and volumes.(Industry spotlight)(Pipette MD)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... A total care service organization that is devoted to maintaining all makes, models, and volumes of pipettors is available. This service provides calibration, repair, and preventive maintenance, is available in the field, and meets or exceeds...

Updated catalog.(Industry spotlight)
November 1, 2007... Updated Clinical Equipment Catalogs are being offered, featuring the latest product literature. Products included are iSeries and Horizon Series refrigerators, -30[degrees]C freezers, platelet storage systems, QuickThaw plasma-thawing system,...

Maintain safety.(Industry spotlight)(HEMCO Corp.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... EnviroMax Enclosures are specifically engineered to isolate robotic and lab-automation processes and equipment while maintaining a safe working area. These enclosures provide exhaust air systems, clean workstations, and temperature-controlled...

Rapid detection.(Industry spotlight)(Genzyme Corp.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The OSOM Trichomonas rapid test for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis is fast, objective, and accurate with 95% agreement against composite reference standard (culture and wet mount), and is unaffected by other common infections. It has...

Ergonomic features.(Industry spotlight)(Thermo Fisher Scientific)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... A new range of bottle-top pipette dispensers (specifically for Finnpipette designed by this company) cover all volumes from 0.2 mL to 60 mL with very high consistency, precision, and reproducibility due to the careful design of all components....

Excellent sensitivity.(Industry spotlight)(Roche Diagnostics Corp.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Elecsys antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs and HbsAg) assays for the use on the modular ANALYTICS El 70 Analyzer as well as the Elecsys 2010 aids in the diagnosis of HBV disease associated with...

Final purification step.(Industry spotlight)(Millipore Corp.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The BioPak C disposable ultrafiltration cartridge is designed to minimize alkaline phosphatase (ALP) released by bacteria that may be present in immunoassay and clinical analyzer feed water used to prepare buffers, make blanks, and rinse tubing...

Flexible and easy to use.(Industry spotlight)(Mindray )(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The BC-3200 autohematology analyzer features closed-tube sampling; sampling with a four-position tube holder; micro sampling of 13 [micro]l, three-part differential; 19 parameters plus histograms; up to 60 samples per hour; large color LCD...

Identify and track.(Industry spotlight)(General Data Company Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... StainerShield is a family of products that enables laboratories to use bar-code identification and tracking technologies to streamline lab workflow, and positively identify and track all specimens from accessioning to grossing, through...

For mid-volume labs.(Industry spotlight)(Beckman Coulter Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The UniCel Dxl 600 Access immunoassay system is an innovative instrument designed for mid-volume labs that support 200- to 400- bed hospitals. It processes 200 tests per hour and releases the primary tube in less than five minutes, and has...

Practical, persistent, and precise.(Industry spotlight)(PDI)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Chlorascrub 3.15% Chlorhexidine Gluconate (w/v) and 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (v/v) solution guards against pathogens like most bacteria, fungi/yeast, and viruses, making it the ideal choice for pre-injection skin preparation. Fast and easy to...

Assess viral levels.(Industry spotlight)(Abbott Molecular)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The RealTime HIV-1 viral load test assay for use on the company's m2000 automated instrument is designed to detect and precisely measure levels of HIV circulation in the patient's blood, including the three major groups of HIV-1, as well as...

Safe dispensing.(Industry spotlight)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Tilt your plate, not your wrist, with this ergonomic pipetting system designed to aid in compliance with ISO 8655. The Ergo-Mate removes the need to hold the plate at any angle and allows for safe dispensing, resulting in easier, safer, and...

Accurate POC testing.(Industry spotlight)(Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The in2it A1C analyzer offers simple, accurate A1C testing at the point of care. It is CLIA-waived, allowing existing staff to perform the test. This analyzer offers full automation, which simplifies training, lets the operator walk away during...

Advanced imaging.(Industry spotlight)(Giles Scientific)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The BIOMIC V3 microbiology system now performs semi-automated reading for all varieties of Etest (AB BIODISK) strips. An enlarged plate image with the Etest strip(s) and its drug-specific MIC scale is displayed on-screen. Results can be printed...

Detect 18 HPVs.(Industry spotlight)(Seegene)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Seeplex 18-plex is capable of simultaneously detecting 18 different human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in a single test. This test amplifies only specific analytes without any cross reactivity and provides automated test results using size...

Accurately measures.(Industry spotlight)(Diagnostic Chemicals Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... A new, fully liquid-stable Enzymatic Creatinine reagent features an extended reportable range, without compromise to low-end sensitivity; requires only a small sample to reagent ratio; and is available in a variety of different packaging...

Moisturize while working.(Industry spotlight)(Superior Glove Works Ltd.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... Say good-bye to dry with Lano-E gloves. Wearing latex gloves on a daily basis dries out hands, leaving skin itchy, hard, and sometimes cracked, which can lead to contact dermatitis, a condition often mistaken as latex allergy. Lano-E gloves are...

One sample dilution.(Industry spotlight)(Biomerica Inc.)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The Anti-Thyroglobulin (Anti-Tg) ELISA and Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase (Anti-TPO) ELISA test kits use the same procedure, and one sample dilution is used for both procedures. They perform in manual or fully automated systems, provide excellent and...

Newly expanded menu.(Industry spotlight)(OPTI Medical)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The OPTICCA-TS blood gas analyzer test menu has been expanded to include BUN (urea). This analyzer has an easy-to-use touch screen (TS) and a variety of available test configurations including blood gas, electrolytes, glucose, and, now, BUN. It...

Compact yet sophisticated.(Industry spotlight)(Tosoh Bioscience)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The AIA-360 immunoassay analyzer is a sophisticated system that fits in any lab environment. This analyzer has a footprint of 16" x 16" x 21" and is approximately 61 lbs. Its compact design is ideal for physician office labs, workstations for...

Simplifies testing.(Industry spotlight)(Hardy Diagnostics)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The UriStar-AST is five of the most commonly used antibiotic disks recommended for the agar diffusion test procedure (Kirby-Bauer) for rapidly growing bacterial pathogens isolated from urine cultures. The UriStar-AST simplifies the process of...

Lab quality at POC.(Industry spotlight)(Radiometer America)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... The ABL 80 FLEX is now offering glucose to its test menu, delivering superior accuracy, stability, and interference-free glucose performance in a portable STAT analyzer. The analyzer's glucose sensor demonstrates a wide measuring range (0...

Small footprint, big difference.(Industry spotlight)(Correction notice)
November 1, 2007... Clarification: In the October 2007 issue of MLO, Sysmex's product description of the XS-1000i was printed in Product Focus, page 50, with the wrong photo. The correct photo is shown here. With a footprint of less than four feet, the small but...

Competitive bidding: where do clinical laboratories stand?(Washington report)
November 1, 2007... The Medicare Clinical Laboratory Services Competitive Bidding Demonstration Project is mandated by section 302(e) of the "Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) (Pub. L. 108-173)" and is to apply to...