Military’s Fifth Health System Market Cuts Costs by Keeping Pathology Services ‘On-base’

Mar 22, 2023 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Resources, Laboratory Testing

Even US military clinical laboratories strive to cut costs, protect quality, and improve outcomes Defense Health Agency (DHA), a part of the federal Department of Defense (DOD), recently launched a plan to consolidate healthcare facilities within certain geographical regions and to unify and integrate the military’s clinical laboratory operations in those areas. The goal is to streamline efficiencies and lower costs while maintaining quality lab testing services.  The DOD operates a nationwide...

Congress Holds Off on Enabling FDA Regulation of Clinical Laboratory-Developed Tests

Feb 27, 2023 | Compliance, Legal, and Malpractice, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Resources, Laboratory Sales and Marketing, Laboratory Testing

Supporters of the VALID Act say lobbying blitz by academic medical centers prevented its passage In 2022, a bill before Congress titled the Verifying Accurate Leading-Edge IVCT Development Act (VALID Act) sought to change the current regulatory scheme for clinical laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) and in vitro clinical tests (IVCTs). But even though the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and nine other organizations signed a December 12 stakeholder letter to leaders of key House and Senate...

Pathology Leader Explains Growing Role of Pathologists’ Assistants in Exclusive Interview

Jan 23, 2023 | Laboratory Hiring & Human Resources, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Testing

Though burnout due to COVID-19 pandemic plays a role, the future is bright for pathology assistants Anatomic pathology laboratories are expanding the role of Pathologist Assistants (PathAs) beyond the traditional duties. What does that mean for the future of this critical position? In an article she penned for the College of American Pathologists (CAP), certified pathologists’ assistant Heather Gaburo, MHS, PA(ASCP)cm, explains how PathA responsibilities are evolving to meet the needs of...

Forbes Senior Contributor Covers Reasons for Growing Staff Shortages at Medical Laboratories and Possible Solutions

Jun 27, 2022 | Laboratory Hiring & Human Resources, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Resources, Laboratory Testing

Factors contributing to shortage of med techs and other lab scientists include limited training programs in clinical laboratory science, pay disparity, and staff retention, notes infectious disease specialist Judy Stone, MD Staff shortages are a growing challenge for medical laboratories, and now the problem has grabbed the attention of a major media outlet. In a story she penned for Forbes, titled, “We’re Facing a Critical Shortage of Medical Laboratory Professionals,” senior contributor and...

Clinical Laboratory Conferences Continue to Tackle COVID-19 Protocols to Put Attendees at Ease

Mar 1, 2022 | Digital Pathology, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Laboratory Testing, Management & Operations, News From Dark Daily, Pathology and Clinical Laboratory Conferences, Precision Medicine, Uncategorized

Proof of vaccination, masking, and availability of on-site testing will continue to be measures taken at in-person events for pathologists and medical laboratory professionals Organizers of in-person clinical laboratory conferences face an interesting dilemma as they plan events in 2022: Where do they draw the line with COVID-19 safety protocols? On one hand, the surge of cases caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant seems to be in its waning stages and large swaths of the population are...