Scientists at University of Washington Discover a Second Language in DNA, Possibly Giving Pathologists a New Source of Diagnostic Information

The discovery of dual-purpose condons, called ‘duons’ opens the door to creation of more precise diagnostic and medical laboratory tests, as well as better treatment choices New insights into the human genome have led to the discovery of a second “code” or “language” within human DNA. Pathologists performing genetic testing will be particularly interested in the implications of this discovery, which the researchers have dubbed “duons.” It was a research team at the University of Washington...

GOP Senators Join House Republicans in Calling for an End to EHR Payments

Unexpected opposition to EHR incentive program should be watched by pathologists and clinical laboratory managers Questions about the value of the federal government’s program to encourage provider adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems were raised by Republican leaders in both houses of Congress just weeks before the election on November 6. Because clinical laboratories and pathology groups have a big stake in interfacing their laboratory information systems to physicians’ EHRs,...

Expanding Knowledge about the Human Microbiome Will Lead to New Clinical Pathology Laboratory Tests

With $175 Million in Funding, Human Microbiome Project is Making Rapid Progress Research into the human microbiome is expected to trigger development of new diagnostic tests that will be offered by clinical pathology laboratories. That’s because the organisms that live on us and in us are as unique to individuals as their DNA, and scientists believe these microbes may be just as important to health. Which microbes and how much they matter to the host’s health are the questions a consortium of...

Drive on to Motivate Hospitals to Prevent Avoidable Readmissions

One approach is to bundle payments to hospitals, physicians, labs, and other providers Momentum is building around a new effort to drive down existing rates of hospital readmissions. Different reimbursement proposals to encourage hospitals and physicians to reduce current readmission rates will likely also change the reimbursement status quo for laboratory testing. For example, bundling Part A and Part B payments may be one approach. Experts increasingly believe one game changer in lowering...

Wall Street Journal Headline: “Staff Shortages in Labs May Put Patients at Risk”

Influenza Outbreak Calls Attention to Shortage of Medical Technologists, other lab staff It took the threat of an influenza pandemic recently to get at least one news reporter to realize the shortage of medical laboratory technicians has reached epidemic proportions. While the recent outbreak of A/H1N1 influenza turned out to be a dress rehearsal, it inspired Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporter Laura Landro to focus on the critical role played by medical technologists, clinical laboratory...
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