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H1N1 Rates Dropping
November 24, 2009 10:40 AM by Kerri Penno

The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection rates may have peaked in late October, but the pandemic flu virus continues to be a potential source of illness in all age groups, including the elderly, according to a new report by Quest Diagnostics Inc. In its Read More...

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H1N1 Diagnosis
October 20, 2009 11:45 AM by Amanda Koehler

About a month ago, I was visiting with my sister. During our conversation, she brought up that her boyfriend had swine flu. I was concerned for him (and, additionally, for her) but also intrigued because he was the first person I knew who had H1N1. Working Read More...

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OCD Releases Anti-HIV Test
October 14, 2009 1:25 PM by Amanda Koehler

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ, announced today FDA approval of a diagnostic assay for the detection of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) types 1+2 (Anti-HIV 1+2) for use on the VITROS 5600 Integrated and VITROS 3600 Immunodiagnostic Read More...

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Be SMART
September 28, 2009 3:50 PM by Kerri Penno

bioMérieux, an in vitro diagnostics company, heightened its role in the fight against antimicrobial resistance by launching its Solutions to Manage the Antimicrobial Resistance Threat (SMART) Campaign at the 49th Annual Interscience Conference for Antimicrobial Read More...

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FDA Clears Vermillion's OVA1
September 14, 2009 1:00 PM by Kerri Penno

The FDA has cleared Vermillion Inc.'s (Fremont, CA) OVA1 test to help detect ovarian cancer in pelvic masses requiring surgery. OVA1 identifies women who will benefit from referral to a gynecological oncologist for surgery, despite negative results from Read More...

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(Flu) Shots for All!
August 19, 2009 12:22 PM by Amanda Koehler

This morning I read a story in the New York Times about how New York is mandating flu shots for all healthcare workers, mostly out of fear of H1N1 outbreaks. A healthcare union in the state is protesting, saying: "Healthcare workers on the front lines Read More...

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Rapid Tests for H1N1
August 6, 2009 8:47 AM by Amanda Koehler

Here's a great article from The New York Times featuring the lab and H1N1 testing. The story says rapid tests for H1N1 fail to properly detect infections more than half the time. Have you been finding this is true for your laboratory? Read More...

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Stop Testing for H1N1?
July 8, 2009 11:49 AM by Amanda Koehler

An article I found on the United Press International's Web site said the WHO is getting ready to tell countries to stop testing for the H1N1 virus. Because these tests are flooding labs and making it hard for laboratorians to keep up, healthcare professionals Read More...

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Ovarian Cancer Screening
March 11, 2009 1:49 PM by Kerri Penno

Primary results published in worldwide media reports this week suggest a combined blood test and ultrasound, termed a "multimodal" approach, may be the key to screening for ovarian cancer-known as a silent killer because symptoms do not appear until the Read More...

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STDs on the Rise
January 19, 2009 2:07 PM by Amanda Koehler

According the the CDC, sexually spread diseases are on the rise in the U.S. The number of chlamydia cases this past year has actually set a record. However, experts say this can be attributed to more people being tested. Have you noticed a rise in sexually Read More...

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Healthcare and the Economy
November 4, 2008 10:15 AM by Amanda Koehler

According to a story I wrote for our November 3 issue called "Pinching Pennies," a few lab directors reported to me that the failing economy has not impacted their laboratory too greatly. But this article says the state of the economy is making Americas Read More...

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Tumor Bank to Aid Cancer Research
September 10, 2008 12:04 PM by Amanda Koehler

In what will hopefully be a positive leap for cancer research, South Texas Accelerated Research Therapeutics is establishing a tumor bank in San Antonio. Cancer patients can donate their tumors to help find a cure and to help therapy research. Read the Read More...

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Undercover Healthcare
June 16, 2008 1:54 PM by Amanda Koehler

USA Today recently ran a story on "undercover patients"-- people who get paid to fake physical illness so they can grade a medical facility's services. The American Medical Association is considering endorsing this practice during its 5-day meeting starting Read More...

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The Celebrity Effect
May 30, 2008 11:29 AM by Amanda Koehler

It seems if a celebrity or her loved one is diagnosed with an illness, it tends to get a lot of ink or television exposure. For example, actress and comedienne Jenny McCarthy has been talking about autism-her son Evan has the disorder. She's even written Read More...

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A New Record
November 13, 2007 2:19 PM by Kerri Penno

CNN is running an Associated Press story about Chlamydia. Apparently, more than 1 million cases of the sexually transmitted disease were reported in the U.S. last year: the most cases ever reported for an STD. And it doesn't stop with Chlamydia. Rates Read More...

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