September 2010 - Posts

Preventing Blood Clots
September 28, 2010 2:53 PM by Amanda Koehler

It was 4 months after my mother was diagnosed with brain cancer, and for someone who had recently had brain surgery, she was doing quite well: walking, talking, even driving herself to her own radiation appointments. In August, my dad decided we should Read More...

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Migraine Relief
September 27, 2010 1:02 PM by Amanda Koehler

Over the past few months, a friend of mine has been experiencing terrible migraines. They leave her feeling very sick and unable to do anything -- a huge blow for a young mother who works full-time. She has gone to the doctor but has to wait a few months Read More...

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Live Coverage: Quality Management
September 26, 2010 11:42 AM by Kerri Penno

Despite being forewarned that such behavior would clearly mark me as a tourist, I cheerfully donned my raincoat this morning for what would be a drizzly day in Seattle. All the buzz this morning is about the Leica customer appreciation event held last Read More...

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Live Coverage: Green Histology
September 26, 2010 11:04 AM by Kerri Penno

After a couple of days in the beautiful pacific northwest, with clear views of the bay and Mount Rainier, what topic could be more appropriate than going green? Lawrence Patton, HT, a trainer and technical support specialist with Leica, offered practical Read More...

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Live Coverage: The Next Generation
September 25, 2010 5:48 PM by Kerri Penno

After NSH attendees enjoyed a lunch break during what locals were describing as the most beautiful day of the year in Seattle today, workshops started back up with "Histotechnology as a Career, " a workshop on recruitment and team development presented Read More...

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Live Coverage: On the Scene at NSH
September 25, 2010 12:05 PM by Kerri Penno

Today is the second day of the 36th Annual National Society for Histotechnology Symposium/Convention in Seattle. I am beginning my first full day in Seattle with a raspberry mocha from the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, and a presentation Read More...

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The Seven Dwarfs of Productivity
September 20, 2010 11:12 AM by Amanda Koehler

Sneezy, Sleepy, Dopey, Doc, Happy, Bashful and Grumpy. These are the names of Snow White's friends, the Seven Dwarfs... or are they the names of your coworkers in the laboratory? In the Refresh Leadership blog, Jared Brox writes how, despite working in Read More...

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Reply to All
September 17, 2010 3:01 PM by Amanda Koehler

I've blogged about the pitfalls of e-mail before . But now I want to discuss an e-mail feature that can be quite dangerous, especially in a work setting: the "reply to all" button. We can all probably think of a time when we abused the "reply to all" Read More...

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Moral and Fair
September 16, 2010 12:04 PM by Amanda Koehler

An obvious statement: research is the bedrock of healthcare. Without research, which in most instances includes human volunteers, we wouldn't have the many medical advances we do today. However, how researchers obtain study participants and their samples Read More...

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Pick a Patch
September 15, 2010 2:19 PM by Kerri Penno

A self-administered patch containing tiny microneedles may effectively deliver influenza virus-like particles through the skin and protect against potentially pandemic flu viruses such as H5N1, according to a report in a recent issue of Clinical Vaccine Read More...

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Wash Your Hands, Please!
September 15, 2010 1:54 PM by Amanda Koehler

I've always been pretty intense about washing my hands, whether at home or in a public place (but who would really admit they don't wash their hands, right?) and making sure others did the same. When my brother was young and I would babysit him, I would Read More...

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Remembering Sept. 11
September 13, 2010 1:01 PM by Amanda Koehler

This Saturday, on the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, I was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. I got off at the Lehigh Valley exit and waited to pay my toll. As I was waiting, I noticed a sticker on the tollbooth window. It was fading and Read More...

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Podcast of Learning Scope Added
September 11, 2010 5:29 PM by Matthew T. Patton

We are pleased to announce the Learning Scope article, "Eight Questions Every Phlebotomist Should Be Able to Answer" is now available as an audio presentation. The test, covering eight essential questions all phlebotomists should be able to answer ( ... Read More...

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Empowered Patients
September 10, 2010 10:14 AM by Amanda Koehler

Over the past few decades, patients have become more and more empowered about their health. Many aren't afraid to ask questions about tests, medications and procedures... and they shouldn't be! Knowledge is power, right? A few weeks ago, my roommate was Read More...

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'Those Hooligans!'
September 9, 2010 9:42 AM by Amanda Koehler

My grandpa owns an auto repair shop. Recently, a skateboard park was built for the youth in his town ... right across the street from his shop. He was voicing his displeasure about it to me, and was worried "those hooligans" might cause trouble so close Read More...

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A Badge of Honor?
September 8, 2010 12:04 PM by Amanda Koehler

Social media and smart phone technology has truly changed how some people live their day-to-day lives -- and the healthcare community is realizing this. Many healthcare organizations have Twitter and Facebook accounts to spread their message to the billions Read More...

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Make the Call
September 7, 2010 1:27 PM by Amanda Koehler

A friend recently said to me the job interview process is similar to dating. And I realized she's right: it's all about "does he/she like me?" (whether that's the interviewer or a potential suitor) and a fear of rejection. In either situation, you try Read More...

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Mix Tape 1
September 6, 2010 8:35 PM by Matthew T. Patton

We asked our Facebook fans: "If you created a laboratory or medical mix tape, what songs would you add"? Seven song suggestions appear below. Look for more here on this blog next week (or suggest you own music selections by commenting below). You can Read More...

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Editorial: Food Safety No Laughing Matter
September 3, 2010 12:06 AM by Matthew T. Patton

Any time I hear the latest food recall or FDA or CDC alerts on foodborne illnesses, I think of a classic Ellen Degeneres comedy skit: “The local news wants you watch every broadcast they’ve got. It’s not good enough that you’re watching the one you’re Read More...

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10 Must Haves: Kerri
September 2, 2010 10:59 AM by Kerri Penno

Kerri Hatt, managing editor of ADVANCE for Medical Laboratory Professionals shares her must haves: Someone who never fails to put a smile on my face is my dog, Cooper . A 2-year old yorkiepoo, Cooper is a 12-pound fluffball who loves to cuddle and is Read More...

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Business and Pleasure
September 2, 2010 10:20 AM by Amanda Koehler

When I was really young, my dad, who is a tire salesman, had a bunch of company conferences in Orlando, FL. Twice, my mother and I went with him. It was the first of my many times visiting Disney World, and I really enjoyed it (despite what this picture Read More...

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Stop Pushing!
September 1, 2010 1:50 PM by Amanda Koehler

Most of the women I've known who have had C sections did not want them. They wanted to have their babies naturally or avoid the longer recovery time associated with a C section, but a lot of pushing eventually led to surgery for these ladies. But a new Read More...

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