Medical Laboratory Observer articles from September 2005

Medical Laboratory Observer archives from September 2005

"Somethings" gotta give.(Editorial)
September 1, 2005... My ongoing efforts to de-clutter my life are designed to free up my time to do those "somethings" that I have always wanted to do but have not had either time, money, materials, or space to commit. The unfortunate part of this dilemma is that...

Questioning wet preps.(Readers respond)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... I do not appreciate the rationale behind not reporting spermatozoa when seen on wet preps for Trichomonas and fungi (MLO, July 2005, "Tips from the clinical experts," p. 42). These are tests for diseases that are essentially sexually...

Seeking knowledge.(Readers respond)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... In regard to the article entitled "The Consummate Lab Professional" (MLO, July 2005, p. 30), while I cannot disagree with the points made by the author, one has to wonder why the word "knowledge" does not appear in this article. The knowledge...

Greetings from Nigeria.(Readers respond)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... Just want to thank you for the wonderful job you are doing through this publication. I really appreciate the quality of articles published therein. It is highly educative. I am a medical laboratory scientist, practicing here in Nigeria. Once...

The inside dope.(Readers respond)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... If any readers of Dr. Ian Giles' informative article, "Hematology automation aids in athletic testing" (MLO, July 2005, p. 22), have an interest in a far-reaching examination of a true historical account of drug doping by an entire country for...

Scrutinizing PSA changes over time.(prostate-specific antigen)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Scrutinizing PSA changes over time. Two new studies in the July 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association--one led by Dr. Stephen Freedland of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, and the other led by Dr. Anthony D'Amico...

Strategies to combat a bird flu pandemic.(nnfectious disease and antibiotics )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Strategies to combat a bird flu pandemic. The first strategies to combat a possible worldwide pandemic of bird flu were released in two different studies in August. One, reported in the Aug. 4 issue of the journal Nature, focused on stopping...

AACC honors 12 scientists.(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... AACC honors 12 scientists. At its annual meeting in Orlando, FL, in July, the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) honored 12 scientists for their out-standing achievements. They were: * Lecture Leadership: Dr. Harvey J....

Conferences.( meetings)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
September 1, 2005... Sept. 21. The American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) will hold the first of three half-hour audioconferences on the topic "Focus on Patient Safety: Effective Tools for Improving Lab Processes" from 2:30-3 p.m. EDT. Sessions will...

Prion biology in transfusion medicine: implications for lab testing.
September 1, 2005... CONTINUING EDUCATION To earn CEUs, see test on page 24. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this article, the reader will be able to: 1. Define and discuss the relevance of prion biology in transfusion medicine. 2....

Intrinsic factor antibody assay: access family of immunoassay systems.
September 1, 2005... Overview Intrinsic factor (IF) is a single glycoprotein chain of 340 amino acids with carbohydrate residue and a molecular weight of about 44 kDa. Secreted by the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa, it plays an important role in the...

Immunology in the 21st century: innovative tools in T-cell immunology.
September 1, 2005... One of the most exciting developments in immunology of the last decade has been the commercialization of major histocompatibility (MHC) tetramers, which provide direct measurement of antigen-specific immune responses. MHC tetramers make it...

Prepare for a major disaster: the laboratory and beyond.
September 1, 2005... The world has changed. The Oklahoma City bombing, the World Trade Center attacks, and the proliferation of terrorist organizations intent upon inflicting massive innocent loss of life have heightened the level of emergency preparedness we must...

Terrorism and emerging infections demand precaution.(LAB MANAGEMENT)
September 1, 2005... Kansas contains almost 2.7 million people who are served by approximately 45,825 health professionals. Prior to the training described here, only 1% of this core group was trained in terrorism response. (1) Receipt of a Health Resources and...

At SoftTech Health, automation is not just for testing anymore.(Executive snapshot)
September 1, 2005... Symptoms that indicate software is needed Labs are spending too much time trying to keep their policies, procedures, and other documents up-to-date and properly authorized. They are also spending literally thousands of combined labor hours...

I hope you dance.(Column)
September 1, 2005... My first morning in Africa, I heard Leann Womack singing "I Hope You Dance" on the radio: "I hope you never lose your sense of wonder... and when you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance!" Since 1975, I have had that sense...

Is this lab duty bound to patient?(Liability and the lab)
September 1, 2005... Q I am a supervisor in a clinical laboratory being sued by an individual with prostate cancer. The substance of the complaint against the lab is that a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) level measured at 4 ng/mL was reported as normal under our...

Change produces resistance.
September 1, 2005... Q We are a hospital-based lab-outreach program with seven sites and courier services that serve 17 counties. Our vice president (VP) has required us to conduct an employee-satisfaction survey twice. Our scores were 65% and 61%, and survey...

Critical values from reference labs.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Q When the result of a test sent to a reference lab meets that lab's critical-result criteria but is not critical under the reference range of the submitting lab, should the result be handled as a critical value by the submitting lab?...

Support for older instruments.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Q Several of my lab customers use a specific model of instrument on which the manufacturer claims the new version of software, due out within the year, will not be supported. Do any provisions or regulations exist to prevent an instrument...

Blood culture from arm with infection.(Answering your questions)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Q Are there any guidelines for the collection of a blood culture from an arm that has an obvious infection? Generally, one blood culture is collected from the right arm and one from the left arm before an IV is started for antibiotics. CLSI...

Serum separator tube for blood banking.(answering your questions)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Q When a serum separator tube is used for blood banking, what effect will the gel have on the antibody screen and x-match? Is it acceptable to use serum from a gel tube if the sample was centrifuged within 30 minutes of collection and decanted...

Necessity of myoglobinuria test.(Answering your questions)
September 1, 2005... Q We would like to discontinue offering the lab test for myoglobinuria. Has this test been replaced by other tests such as serum creatine kinase (CK) and haptoglobin, or is it still necessary? A Generally, the first step in the work-up of...

Spin hematocrits.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... The M24 Centrifuge spins up to 24 standard 75-mm capillary tubes. This microhematocrit centrifuge enables the user to spin hematocrits in under five minutes at 11,000 rpm. It includes a 15-minute timer, a brake button, and a microhematocrit...

Self-bursting absorbent.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... Risk managers in medical and clinical laboratories can quickly contain and solidify bio-hazardous liquids with SaniSorb Medical Liquid Solidifier. SaniSorb X is a premeasured pouch that inserts easily into medical containers and utilizes...

Broadcast live via Internet.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... MicroSuite FIVE microscope imaging now features Internet NetCam. Designed for use with the company's DP70 and DP30 camera and the Soft Imaging System FireWire cameras, NetCam uses TCP/IP to broadcast live images via Internet for up to 50 remote...

Electronic storage.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... The Model 3320 Osmometer has been completely redesigned in a low-profile, compact enclosure for easy access to the sample probe and solenoid assembly. Simple architecture eliminates sample errors, enables less complicated testing, and promotes...

Onboard QC.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... The company's newest critical-care blood-gas instrument, the Rapidlab 1200 analyzer, delivers results for all test parameters in about one minute. With minimal maintenance requirements, it provides speed, accuracy, and required uptime for...

Clean slide staining.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... Staining options include 12- and 3-station stain sets, dippers, and dishes sold in kits or individually. Each staining station is solvent-resistant, easy to clean, and has a snap-locking cover to prevent spills. All PETP dishes are deep enough...

New molecular chapters.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... The Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry & Molecular Diagnostics, 4th ed., written by C.A. Burtis, PhD, and MDs E.R. Ashwood and D.E. Bruns, is a leading reference guide for laboratory technologists and includes eight new chapters on emerging...

Compact filtration.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... Among four new compact filtration accessories from this company is its lightweight Chibitan II Personal Centrifuge, which can process up to six centrifugal tubes at once. The product is optimized for use with the company's Ultrafree-MC...

Safer transport.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... Para-Pak parasitology products are designed to improve the overall processing of fecal specimens for examination of ova and parasites and enteric pathogens. Para-Pak Ultra's unique cap and spork design offers a closed system for safer transport...

Standardization and QC.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... Reagents specifically formulated and packaged in bar-coded Roche's Hitachi 917 analyzer reagent containers offer simplicity and ease of use for direct replacement. Cell wash, detergent, and ISE solutions necessary for operating the analyzer are...

Automated reading.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... The new BIOMIC [V.sup.3] automates the reading of commercial ID panels, including RapID, API, Crystal, and CHROMagar, with color digital-imaging technology. The consistency, accuracy, and speed of reading ID panels is improved compared to...

24/7 wireless monitor.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... The Celaris Wireless Alarm/Monitoring System is now available. The 24/7 real-time, remote-alert, Internet-based system is completely wireless, performing advanced remote monitoring (door access, motion, air flow, air pressure) of storage...

Modular design.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... The recently debuted DSX ELISA processing system performs all the steps required for immunoassays (adding samples and reagents, washing, incubation, and optical detection) on up to four microplates at once. Suitable for a wide range of...

EBV assays.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... An automated method for EBV testing has arrived with the recent FDA clearance of the LLAISON Epstein-Barr virus assays on a random-access, chemiluminescence platform. Rapid result (35 minutes to first result) and high throughput of up to 90...

Measure endotoxin.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... The Endotoxin Activity Assay is the first and only whole-blood test that rapidly measures endotoxin, a potent trigger of the sepsis cascade. Test can be performed in one hour using only 2.5 mL of whole blood, and can rule out Gram-negative...

Two results, one sample.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... The APTIMA COMBO 2 assay for detecting Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) is a second-generation nucleic-acid amplification test, using target capture for in vitro qualitative detection and differentiation of rRNA from CT...

Filtered water fast.(Industry spotlight)
September 1, 2005... The GEMINI Ultra High Purity Water System provides up to 3.7 liters per minute of 18.2 M[ohm] 0.2 [micro]m filtered water. Water quality meets/exceeds ATM, CAP, and CLSI Type 1 specs, and is continuously monitored on the digital display; LEDs...

High-quality purified [H.sub.2]O.(Product focus: Chemistry-Immunoassay analyzers)
September 1, 2005... Designed to direct feed CLSI (NCCLS) Type I and II reagent-grade water to the majority of chemistry-immunoassay analyzers, the new Elix Clinical Systems use a patented electrodeionization technology to produce consistent, high-quality purified...

Less hands-on time.(Product focus: Chemistry-Immunoassay analyzers)
September 1, 2005... Consolidation of chemistry tests with an immunoassay menu means one platform with the ADVIA IMS 800i, operated by a single user at a single-user interface. All samples, STATs, ancillaries, and reagents are introduced to the analyzer through a...

Simplify training and operation.(Product focus: Chemistry-Immunoassay analyzers )
September 1, 2005... The Modular Analytics, designed for mid- to high-volume workloads, can combine four different analytical modules for electrolytes, clinical chemistry/homogenous immunoassays, and heterogeneous immunoassays, offering at least 30 tailored...

New technologies for enhanced performance.(Product focus: Chemistry-Immunoassay analyzers)
September 1, 2005... The VITROS 5, 1 FS Chemistry System consolidated chemistry-immunoassay analyzer contains MicroTip reagent technology that has expanded the system's onboard menu to 80 tests, including therapeutic drugs, serum protocols, drugs-of-abuse, and...

The right combination.(Coming attractions in 2006)(ARCHITECT ci16200)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... While still in development, target introduction of these instruments is scheduled during the second half of 2006. The ARCHITECT family of immunochemistry systems offers a variety of solutions to meet workflow needs--for stand-alone or...

Fast TAT, less operator exposure.(Coming attractions in 2006)(turnaround time)(UniCel DxC 600i)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The UniCel DxC 600i--pending release in 2006--will combine chemistry and immunoassay on one workstation, further expanding the UniCel product line. The system will feature closed-tube samples and closed-tube aliquotting capabilities to speed...

Connection made simple.(Coming attractions in 2006)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Tentatively scheduled for release in mid-2006, the AU-CONNECTOR will allow up to four of the company's clinical chemistry (AU640 and AU2700) and immunoassay (AU3000i) systems to be integrated into a single consolidated workcell for streamlined...

Why we need passage of HR 1175.
September 1, 2005... So much in life is about politics, legalities, and money. These same factors also significantly affect our profession. We absolutely need to be more politically astute. We were trained to delve into the complexities of medical laboratory...