ADVANCE Outlook: Lab Professionals : Legislation

AACC Urges Action

Kerri Penno — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:43:00 GMT

The AACC is urging laboratory professionals to contact their members of Congress and request that they support H.R.1248, the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act, which would preserve recent advances in state newborn screening programs. Earlier...(read more)

Generic OxyContin Not Approved By FDA

Michael Jones — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:42:00 GMT

The idea of making a potentially dangerous drug less prone to abuse is something that stands out in the effort to stop prescription drug misuse in the United States. Many companies have incorporated time release capsules to curb the possibility of abuse,...(read more)

"Bedless Hospitals"

Michael Jones — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:10:00 GMT

The introduction of two new hospital facilities in the US marks the beginning of a shift in the healthcare industry. According to a recent news release from Dark Daily, a nationwide change from inpatient- to outpatient-based treatment approaches has resulted...(read more)

In the Genes

Michael Jones — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:41:00 GMT

The ethical implications of genetic sequencing are really only just beginning to be fully realized, and these questions continue to contribute to the growing debate over information provided by the human genome. A recent story from NPR chronicled Henrietta...(read more)

The Fine Print

Michael Jones — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 20:43:00 GMT

I remember when the Body Worlds Exhibit came to my local museum. I couldn’t believe it -- those were real people. My dad laughed when I told him about it and said, “That’s why you really have to read the fine print when you sign up to be an organ donor.”...(read more)

Real Life Gattaca?

Michael Jones — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:04:00 GMT

I remember studying genetics in high school biology and watching Gattaca (1997), which genuinely blew my mind. On its own, genome sequencing seemed like a concept that science ripped directly from the pages of fiction. I could barely wrap my mind around...(read more)

HIV Testing: From POC to In-Home?

Valerie Newitt — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:29:00 GMT

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....(read more)

Uncertainty in Healthcare

Lynn — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:42:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Gene Patenting

Kerri Penno — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 21:05:00 GMT

Last month, the Supreme Court remanded the BRCA case (The Association for Molecular Pathology, et al., v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., et al --Docket No. 11-725) to the Federal Court of Appeals. After a number of previous decisions based on whether a company...(read more)

Would You Get YOUR Genome Sequenced?

Valerie Newitt — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:20:00 GMT

If you could have your genome sequenced and unlock all of the secrets your DNA holds, would you? I asked that question of Dr. Robert Daber, technical director of Clinical Genomics at the Center for Personalized Diagnostics, and Dr. Jennifer Morrissette,...(read more)

Facebook Feedback: Changes and Improvements

Matthew T. Patton — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:33:00 GMT

If you're not following us on Facebook , you're missing a lot of fun feedback. If you are, keep following and spread the word! The conversations are far from over. We asked Facebook fans: "If you could ask for one improvement in your lab, what would it...(read more)

Don't Laugh at Me

Matthew T. Patton — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 20:31:00 GMT

Guest post by Anthony L. DeWitt Every healthcare worker tends to have a gallows sense of humor. It comes from the nearly constant exposure to pain, suffering, death and dying. Without an ability to laugh at the bad things that happen every day, no health...(read more)

ASCLS Issues Action Alert

Matthew T. Patton — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:05:00 GMT

We received the following press release from the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science: Congress is considering including Medicare cuts as part of the debt limit legislative package. One of the potential Medicare cuts would impose a new 20...(read more)

ASCLS Lobbies for Lab Issues

Matthew T. Patton — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:49:00 GMT

An e-mail communication from ASCLS explained more about the new healthcare reform bill recently signed into law by President Obama. We've included it below: For the laboratory community, the Bill includes an across-the-board clinical laboratory fee schedule...(read more)

Seek Care Elsewhere?

Amanda Koehler — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:56:00 GMT

Since the healthcare reform bill passed, you've probably heard people talking politics at work, at restaurants, at home. Maybe you've even participated in the discussions. Even in the workplace, this isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as you are respectful...(read more)