News, Analysis, Trends, Management Innovations for
Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Hosted by Robert Michel

News, Analysis, Trends, Management Innovations for
Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Hosted by Robert Michel
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Leaders at the Association for Pathology Informatics Conference Issue Broad Call to Action in Response to Clinical and Financial Threats to Pathology Profession

Other topics of keen interest at the meeting were digital pathology, whole-slide imaging, and the role of pathology informatics in healthcare ‘big data’

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA—During their annual meeting here last week, pathologists who are members of the Association for Pathology Informatics (API) made it clear that they are prepared to support fast and radical changes to anatomic pathology and clinical pathology.

Several speakers called attention to specific threats already disrupting the long-established model of the private pathology group practice. There was also no disagreement that cuts in fee-for-service reimbursement for key anatomic pathology CPT codes were already eroding the financial stability of many pathology practices and pathology lab companies. (more…)

Future of Pathology Informatics and LIS is Focus of 2012 Pathology Informatics Summit to be Held This Week in Chicago

Fast-moving trends are reshaping how clinical laboratories and pathology groups use information technology to deliver more value to physicians and patients

In the field of medical laboratory informatics, there is an emerging trend of great importance to both clinical laboratories and pathology groups. It is becoming increasingly tougher for hospital labs to select a “best-of-breed” laboratory information system (LIS). That’s because more hospital administrators are opting for a single “enterprise-wide” informatics/EHR solution that commonly includes an LIS that is not the first choice of laboratory management.

“We are now at a very significant tipping point in the field of pathology informatics,” declared Bruce Friedman, M.D., Active Emeritus Professor of Pathology at the University of Michigan Medical School. “After more than three decades of stability and broad acceptance of best-of-breed LISs and close collaboration between LIS vendors and pathology professionals, the enterprise-wide-solution is emerging as a favorite of hospital CIOs and CEOs. (more…)

All-Stars in Pathology Informatics and Clinical Laboratory Information Systems Gather in Pittsburgh to Assess Market Changes

Pathology profession’s leading experts in lab informatics predict plenty of disruption as hospitals work to integrate their informatics systems

DATELINE—PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA: Last Friday, what I will call the All-Stars of pathology informatics and clinical laboratory information systems (LIS) came together for a one-day Strategy Summit. Disruptive forces are loose within the laboratory informatics space and participants were eager to understand these trends and develop effective responses to keep medical laboratory testing at the forefront of clinical care.

Almost 100 pathologists, laboratory informatics vendors, LIS consultants, and hospital CIOs participated. Your Dark Daily editor was here as a careful listener. The Strategy Summit was organized by the Association for Pathology Informatics (API). API President Mark Tuthill, M.D., was chair of the program. Tuthill is also Division Head, Pathology Informatics, at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan. (more…)

Elekta Sells Its PowerPath Pathology Software to Sunquest

Sunquest immediately becomes nation’s largest provider of clinical pathology laboratory information systems

Earlier today, a deal was announced which has major implications for the anatomic pathology informatics marketplace. Sunquest Information Systems, Inc., released the news that it acquired the PowerPath pathology information software product from the Swedish company Elekta AB. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

The PowerPath acquisition is significant because it immediately makes Sunquest the “big dog” of pathology information systems in the United States, when measured by the number of pathology clients.

In this country, three anatomic pathology laboratory information systems make up the largest part of the market. In alphabetical order, Cerner Corporation (NASDAQ: CERN) has its CoPath product; Elekta has just sold its PowerPath product, and Sunquest has the Sunquest version of CoPath.

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Why Pathology Labs Need To Keep Pace with Big Changes Unfolding in the Field of Pathology Informatics

Experts in pathology and clinical laboratory informatics to gather in October in Pittsburgh

One respected expert in pathology informatics says that a “major sea change” is underway in pathology informatics. The pace of this transformation is steady and pathology groups should be responsive to these developments.

These are the opinions of Bruce Friedman, M.D., Active Emeritus Professor of Pathology at the University of Michigan Medical School and President of the Pathology Education Consortium (PEC), in an exclusive interview with Dark Daily. He recommends that anatomic pathology laboratories need to step up and respond to remain competitive.

“Right now all of the action in the field revolves around digital pathology, stated Friedman. “Many new companies are entering the field, including system integrators. In earlier times, the emphasis was placed on slide scan times and the quality of images. Now there is much greater emphasis on end-to-end integration and workflow. (more…)

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