Since the ASCP took over the popular and progressive NCA in 2009, I have periodically received emails from medical lab professionals not happy with the merger for various reasons.  Prompted by this overwhelming response, I have previously blogged about this subject. I have also addressed the mixed response to the move. Recently I have ...

 In medical laboratory science -and in life in general- we tend to over-complicate issues. Making processes more difficult reduces productivity and (rather than ensure near-perfection as intended) might even be a safety risk in itself. As I wrote in a recent blog: keep it simple unless there is a clear, strong argument for doing ...

Over the years several healthcare professionals, especially nurses, have been successfully expanding their scope of practice. Generally these are professionals with additional training  and possibly advanced degrees-but not always. They perform tasks intermediate between say a registered nurse and a physician. To many people this is a ...

 I am keeping my ASCP license. ASCP does not offer licensure, of course. I know that. But neither do any of the national agencies offering personnel certification in clinical laboratory science.  Certification is a voluntary credential; you go to school, you graduate with a degree, you sit for an examination and  when you pass you ...

This morning as I engaged in one of my weekly rituals, watching the Sunday morning political shows, I realized once again how often reality and fantasy blur. Just because someone holds a strong opinion it does not mean that it is backed up by facts or substance. Take 2 of the topics this morning. First, the now-infamous couple of reality-show ...