Who's Positive, a national HIV awareness organization, says consumers want at-home HIV tests. Results from a year-long online survey measuring support for over-the-counter HIV testing will be presented today to the FDA Blood Products Advisory Committee.

Who's Positive  will tell the FDA that of 1,569 participants, 74 percent would support an OTC rapid, oral swab HIV test that could be purchased in a retail store, if approved by the FDA. Other key findings that will be reported include:

• 66% of the respondents who identify as a HIV-positive consumer support an OTC HIV test
• 80% of those aged to 30 support an OTC HIV test
• A majority or nearly 52% of those who identified as a paid member of an HIV/AIDS organization support an OTC HIV test
• 47% of those who identify as one who performs HIV testing support an HIV OTC test

"Over-the-counter testing has the potential to break down barriers and empower people who have never been tested before to learn their HIV status and, if positive, find the care and support they need," said Tom Donohue, founding director of Who's Positive, via a Newswise news release.

We love the conversations and feedback we get on our Facebook page! Graduation season is upon us, so last week, we asked about the best advice you received when you graduated, or the advice you would give a new grad. Here are a few unedited responses. Add your own to the comments section.

• I recommend that the techs work as a generalist first, as many different departments as possible. I find that most new grads now want day shift positions in one dept, but that's not very realistic; when day shift positions open, they are usually filled by eve/night shift generalists. And I also recommend that they take the ASCP exam ASAP after graduation; some I know have waited a year, and they all failed it. Take it while it is still fresh in your mind.
• I was told to treat every patient's sample as if it is your own family member. Best advice I have ever received.
• I agree with taking the test asap. Generalists are needed more then specialists from what I've seen and experienced. I am a generalist and I find myself more marketable then a specialist, plus it is not boring working in 1 section all the time. I work third shift and love it, aside from the differential pay I like the hours too. Also do not sell yourself too short, I've worked with a MT that has his masters and was only making $2.00 more then I did. You worked hard for your degree so look for a position that pays for that education. Remember MLT and MT is marketable nation wide, don't just look for jobs locally, expand your horizons!
• Working as a generalist after graduation can be very stressful!! I graduated last year and am currently working as a night shift generalist...I have to admit I'm learning alot though..
• Best advice I received: "Be sure to cross your Ts and dot your Is...then when you're done, go back and make sure you've crossed your Fs and dot your Js...point? Learn to be meticulous."
• I agree with Hadassa. My first position post graduation was for a reference blood bank. Best to always catch your mistakes before someone else does. This is especially true when a life is on the line.
• Learn as much as you can in as many departments as you can work. Ask questions when you know you don't know what you are doing. The situation is easier to fix BEFORE you make it worse.
• Listen to the words of the older techs..many of them have learned the hard way and can give yoou some expert advice that may keep you fro learning the hard way!
• Pave your own path and trust your gut. Everyone has an opinion about what the best professional road for you will be but in the end, it is your journey.

It’s hard enough to work in an environment where there’s some uncertainty—perhaps regarding job security, technology implementations and effects and the like. Today, however, there’s monumental vagueness or doubts on a host of issues directly impacting healthcare, including the Budget Control Act, sustainable growth rates (SGR), bundled payments, ICD-10, ACO and more. Ken Perez, of MedeAnalytics, provides excellent guidance on how to work in these challenging times. “Vigilance, scenario planning, steadfast pursuit of the Triple Aim, and the continued refinement of care delivery will enable hospitals to safely navigate the dangerous waters of this period of uncertainty,” he says. While we’ll have an extensive article by Perez in the June edition of Executive Insight, which then can be searched and viewed by any of our communities at www.advanceweb.com, I encourage your suggestions and strategies on effectively mastering tasks and objectives in today’s healthcare environment.

Back in my undergrad days, many students "majored" in social life, devoting hours to hanging out, going out, and even passing out (do keg parties ring a bell?). Of course, this was the pre-cell phone, pre-Facebook, even pre-email era. And there sure as heck were no oligonucleotide primers.

Wait, what?...

Clearly times have changed. Science fairs have evolved from dinosaur dioramas to "the advancement of synthetic biology." Proof positive: I received the following news release with a shout out to contemporary undergrads, who are clearly doing more than pulling the occasional all-nighter before an exam. Read on:

"The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) is sponsoring a competition to give undergraduate students an opportunity to get involved in the advancement of synthetic biology. As one of the sponsoring partners, Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) is offering to support individual iGEM student teams. Last year, the 11 teams sponsored by IDT were provided with credit which they could use to obtain IDT products, including oligonucleotide primers and synthetic GENEs for use in their research project.

"Last year's iGEM competition assembled university-affiliated teams of undergraduates in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to design and build biological systems that operate in living cells. Each team received a set of biological parts, which were used in addition to new parts they designed, to build biological devices and systems. The projects ran throughout the summer, leading to a series of competitions in the fall that culminated in the World Championship Jamboree. Following on from their success at the World Championship Jamboree, four of the projects sponsored by IDT are described in detail in an issue of DECODED."

I find it all pretty impressive, particularly since my generation was more concerned with the cut of our jeans than our genes. If you know any likely competitors, they can get more information at http://www.idtdna.com/.

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. While protection via skin coverage, staying in the shade, and broad-spectrum SPF sun screens is crucial, it is equally important to check your skin, and to check your loved ones (i.e., spouses should check each other's backs).

Melanoma Monday is also the official launch of Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. The American Academy of Dermatology is also debuting the SPOT Skin Cancer program on their website to teach individuals to perform self-exams and find free screenings in their area. The website will also promote community sharing and provide educational materials.

Will Kentucky Derby favorite Union Rags win the iconic run for the roses Saturday? A genetic test might hold the answer.

ThoroughGen, founded by Steven Tammariello, associate professor of biological sciences at Binghamton University, State University of New York, performs genetic testing on horses. The company offers a basic three-gene test for Thoroughbreds at a cost of $175. It screens for one gene that is vital to energy production and two tied to muscle function. Energy production is linked to stamina, muscle twitch to speed. But according to Tammariello, this is just the tip of the iceberg, adding that the horse has some 27,000 genes.

Tammariello doesn't perform tests at the track, however. He carts a portable testing device to horse sales and auctions, in hopes of giving buyers a clearer picture of what they are purchasing. All he needs is one strand of hair from a horse's mane and if he receives a sample by 4 p.m., he can give prospective horse buyers a report the next morning. For many breeders in the Thoroughbred industry, genetic testing is the future.

"If buyers want to find out what genotype represents the best show jumpers, we can do that," Tammariello says via a Newswise news release. "I've been contacted by a group that wants to figure out which gene variants are found in top polo ponies. We can look at any variation that anybody wants to examine, in any breed of horse."

Of course, the tests aren't foolproof. The right genes don't guarantee a winner; the wrong genes don't guarantee a loser. But the tests do boost the odds of picking fast horses and avoiding slow ones. Only a small percentage of horses overcome genetic flaws.

An observer such as myself can get pretty excited when talking to experts about genomic sequencing and the secrets it potentially may unlock to individualized expectations of health or disease risk. What was once the realm of science fiction seems to be realized in modern medicine: a real path to better vigilance, risk management, drug choices and drug metabolism, understanding carrier status and hereditary risks reaching into subsequent generations.

The costs for genomic sequencing are plummeting -- under $1,000 for an individual had become a reasonable target. And the time it takes has been shaved down to about a day.

But, (and there's always a but...) findings from the Johns Hopkins (JH) researchers' evaluation of the predictive value of whole genome sequencing recently were published in Science Translational Medicine, and they pose questions about the value of sequencing for some.

The study involved data of thousands of identical twins. "Johns Hopkins investigators find that genomic fortune-telling fails to provide informative guidance to most people about their risk for most common diseases, and warns against complacency born of negative genome test results," said a Johns Hopkins Medicine news release about the findings.

"Identical twins share the same genome, and if the genome were the determining factor for common diseases, then the prevalence of a specific disease in an individual whose twin has that disease can be used to determine how well whole genome sequencing could predict an individual's disease risk," says Bert Vogelstein, M.D., Clayton Professor of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, co-director of the Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics, and investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

The Johns Hopkins team collected information on the incidence of 24 diseases among thousands of twin-pair groups across the globe, including cancer, as well as autoimmune, cardiovascular, genitourinary, neurological and obesity-associated diseases.Their analysis shows that whole genome sequencing could alert most individuals to an increased risk of at least one disease, signaled by a positive test result, but most people would get negative test results for the majority of diseases studied, failing to forewarn them of the diseases they may ultimately develop. 

The investigators say their analysis specifically shows that whole-genome-based tests are not highly informative for predicting cancer in most individuals without a strong family history of the disease. On the other hand, genetic tests could identify, theoretically, more than three-quarters of patients who may develop four of the diseases studied - coronary heart disease in men, thyroid autoimmunity, type 1 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

"We believe that genomic tests will not be substitutes for current disease prevention strategies," says  Vogelstein. "Prudent screening, early diagnosis and prevention strategies, such as not smoking and removing early cancers, will be the keys to cutting disease death rates."

Last week, a conversation on the MedLab Listserv caught my eye. A listserv member noted that his laboratory is considering changing their name from "Automated Lab" to something a little more descriptive, in part to allow for a little more pride from lab professionals.

Laboratorians, like any professionals, want to be respected. For the kind of valuable behind-the-scenes work that takes place in the clinical lab, unfortunately, that respect often has to be worked for. And when plenty of patients, physicians and other healthcare practitioners have little understanding of what happens in the clinical lab, a name that reflects the analytical skills and critical thinking that occurs could be of value.

Does "Automated Lab" sound too much like specimens go in and out without the need for any input from the highly-trained professionals in the lab? What does your facility call itself (particularly hospital labs)? Does it matter?

Congratulations to Larry Roth, who submitted the following winning laboratory slogan: 

You might be a laboratorian if ... you end up explaining your test results to your doctor.

Larry wins a $25 gift certificate to the ADVANCE Healthcare Shop and a T-shirt for his creativity. We were impressed with all of the great entries you submitted. Keep your ideas coming!

Although the FDA has good intentions, it is often scrutinized for the amount of time it takes to review submissions, approve clinical trials and the like. And today is no exception. Expertbriefings.com released an article, “How the FDA Stifles New Cures, Part 1: The Rising Cost of Clinical Trials,” in which it addresses how outdated policies are making drug development too expensive and too risky http://www.expertbriefings.com/news/how-the-fda-stifles-new-cures-part-i-the-rising-cost-of-clinical-trials/). The article reviews various factors blamed for driving up the cost of clinical trials, including the cost of drug development and “phase III” trials. Says the author, “My Forbes colleague Matthew Herper recently totaled R&D spending from the 12 leading pharmaceutical companies from 1997 to 2011, and found that they had spent $802 billion to gain approval for just 139 drugs: a staggering $5.8 billion per drug…The biggest driver of this phenomenal increase has been the regulatory process governing Phase III clinical trials of new pharmaceuticals on human volunteers.” 

What are your thoughts or concerns regarding the FDA and its processes?

While you're celebrating the accomplishments of lab professionals across the country, take a few moments to consider the future of the profession. The shortage of lab professionals is well known, and it will only get more critical. 

What can you do about it? Share insights into lab careers with students, and take a hand in inspiring a new corps of laboratorians.

COLA is introducing one initiative, called "Give Back Day," during National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week.

"Give Back Day" is designed to empower laboratory staff at all levels to "give back" to  local communities by exposing area students  to the laboratory industry. COLA offers a free "how to" kit for engaging local elementary and middle school students in lab demonstrations and getting them animated about the unknown world of laboratory medicine.

"As we salute the more than 300,000 medical laboratory professionals around the country who perform and interpret millions of tests in the U.S. each year, we must also focus on the growing lab worker shortage that, if not resolved, can adversely impact the lives of every American," says Doug Beigel, chief executive officer of COLA via a news release. 

More than 40,000 current lab jobs are vacant in the United States according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and it is estimated that 14,000 new lab professionals will be needed annually. Current educational programs only produce about 5,000 new professionals each year.

"The good news is that a lab career offers young people a stable, attractive, potentially lucrative professional path during economically challenging times," adds Beigel. "For example, US News and World Report chose ‘Laboratory Technicians' as one of the best careers of 2011. The ‘Give Back Day' concept is designed to educate young people about the many job opportunities that exist in laboratory science careers, and the enormous contributions these workers make to delivery of the kind of safe and effective care patients deserve."

COLA developed the "Give Back Day" initiative after recently exposing over 30 students in two Baltimore schools to the world of laboratory science by staging a series of lab demonstrations. The success of the program prompted COLA to create a kit for interested laboratories, including step-by-step instructions for:

• Engaging potential partners such as local Big Brothers/Big Sisters or Boys and Girls Clubs chapters.
• Identifying and selecting schools willing to participate.
• Developing program content and curriculum featuring laboratory demonstrations.
• Procuring needed materials.
• Contacting other local civic officials and organizations to join in the event.
• Publicizing the event to local media.

To obtain a copy of the Give Back Day kit, contact Richard Cross at COLA at 410-381-6581. The kit will soon be available electronically at http://www.colacares.com/. 

As scientists, laboratorians appreciate the ability to look at a specimen and extract diagnostic information that, if not definitive in and of itself, can combine with other clinical information to diagnose a patient. A specific diagnosis leads to proper treatment and care.

Unfortunately, for mental disorders, diagnosis isn't that simple. Often, diagnosis depends on a patient's willingness to truthfully report their symptoms. This can be especially problematic with teenagers, who don't exactly have a reputation for being open about their feelings.

Now, a new blood test may help identify teens struggling with major depressive disorder, according to a study published last week in Translational Psychiatry. The team at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago identified 26 markers of major depression. According to the study authors, these biomarkers have not previously been associated with depression. Twenty-eight teenagers--half with depression, half without--were assessed for the markers. Eleven of those markers showed up in the depressed teens, and not in the others.  

Of course, depression and other mental health conditions are complicated, and a blood test won't solve all of the diagnostic difficulties associated with them. But any step toward improved diagnostics that can improve the quality of life--especially for a young person--is a step in the right direction.

One of my favorite parts of each year is reading about the accomplishments of those nominated for our Lab and Laboratory Professional of the Year contests. It is amazing what some of these leaders can balance and excel in, given their busy schedules.

This year, our Laboratory Professional of the Year, Jeannette P. Dill, Microbiologist ll, Tennessee Department of Health Laboratory Services, Nashville, TN, was chosen as the point person for beta testing and validating a salmonella molecular serotyping assay based on her role as the lead PulseNet microbiologist for Tennessee.

Second Place Laboratory Professional of the Year Cherry-Ann Da Costa-Carter, MSc, MPH, MT(AMT), RPT(AMT), associate lab microbiologist and senior supervisor, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Public Health Lab, New York, visited dozens of nursing homes through the five boroughs of NYC to deliver lectures on infection control, respiratory etiquette and vaccination compliance as part of her Master's in Public Health degree.

While transitioning her laboratory to a Lean culture, Third Place Laboratory Professional of the Year Janet Walker, MPA, MT(ASCP), Laboratory Manager, Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ, also helped create a Laboratory Unit Based Council, addressing practical issues and improving morale; as well as a Career Track program designed to promote advancement of the laboratory profession. Learn more about our winners at www.advanceweb.com/NMLPW.

These professionals certainly set the bar high, but they are just a small sample of the amazing healthcare professionals working to improve patient care, public health and opportunities for clinical laboratory professionals. What have you accomplished in the past year? Share your successes with ADVANCE!

With Rick Santorum’s departure in the political race, Mitt Romney and President Obama are in a tight sprint, according to this morning’s New York Times. Says the article, “Mitt Romney has solidified support within his party for the presidential nomination after Rick Santorum’s exit from the race, but is locked in a tight race with President Obama as attention turns to the general election phase of the campaign.” The article elaborates on how registered voters as well as Republican primary voters are “showing strong enthusiasm” for Romney. As we’ve covered in our blogs before, how would a change in the White House impact you, professionally speaking? Would changes in patient care delivery models come to a screeching halt or would it be “business as usual” in the effort to improve quality of patient care? Would you be more inclined to hire additional medical professionals or acquire new instrumentation? Under take new construction enhancements to a wing/department or the hospital overall? Or, will it be more of a “wait-and-see” approach?