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Call to action — NAACLS
NSH
Many years ago, the ASCP changed the certification route for Histotechnicians, eliminating the minimum requirement of a high school diploma. However, NAACLS still accredits "certificate" programs with a minimum requirement of a high school diploma for acceptance and completion. The National Society for Histotechnology Board of Directors, which represent nine regions of U.S. and Canada, advocate for a new change. At this time the NAACLS Board of Directors is requesting public comment for proposed changes to NAACLS' Standards that primarily affect HT programs (click here to download). This period of public comment expires on June 27 EOB. Click here for complete details and submit your letter today.
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Advanced Mohs Technician Training — a hands-on learning experience
NSH
NSH has partnered with Mohs Histology Consulting to offer this unique hands-on, intense training session in a Mohs lab. This workshop is designed for both the new technician just starting out and the experienced technician who wants to brush up on advanced techniques and polish their skills. Students will cut a variety of skin samples. Come spend an enjoyable and informative two days with fellow technicians in a supportive and stimulating atmosphere. Thank you to AVANTIK Biogroup for providing equipment, supplies and training facilities. Sessions will be held on both East and West Coast. Learn more.
Are we doing our best to protect our laboratory workers?
Lab Manager
Because the safety guys write about this stuff all the time, you know that laboratory workers are exposed to numerous hazards spanning biological, chemical, physical and radioactive risks. Repetitive tasks of production labs and high-volume analytical labs as well as the challenges of handling research animals can also lead to musculoskeletal disorders. The diverse and serious potential hazards faced daily by laboratory workers begs two questions: Are our labs safe enough? Are we doing our best to protect our laboratory workers? Sadly, given some examples below, the answer is definitely not.
Why clinical laboratory managers and pathologists are using performance data systems and business intelligence to boost productivity and quality
Dark Daily
Financial pressures are intensifying at the nation's clinical laboratories. This is particularly true of the labs serving hospitals and health systems. Declining inpatient volume and less revenue per inpatient admission are reasons why hospital lab budgets are shrinking.
These trends mean clinical lab administrators and pathologists are being asked to do more with less. To meet this challenge, many lab organizations are acquiring real-time analysis tools and management dashboard systems to help managers identify opportunities to slash lab expenses, while boosting productivity and client satisfaction.
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
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Introducing our recently launched EP clones developed specifically for anatomical pathology. Epitomics has the largest catalogue of diagnostic grade rabbit monoclonals, with over 230 unique targets. Some of our recently launched EP clones include ARG-1, PAX-2, SOX-10, CD2, TBX21 and more. Our recent 2014 Catalogue is available here.
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Solvent exposure during 1st pregnancy linked to breast cancer
Clinical Advisor
Occupational exposure to solvents before first full-term birth may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in certain settings, according to researchers. "Solvents such as benzene and trichloroethylene have been recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the U.S. National Toxicology Program as known human carcinogens; however, there are limited data on solvents as human breast carcinogens," wrote Christine C. Ekenga, MPH, Ph.D., and colleagues in Cancer Research.
Pathologists and medical laboratory scientists in India call for active government regulation in response to ongoing problems with quality of medical laboratory tests
Dark Daily
Pathology and clinical laboratory testing in India is growing at a double-digit pace. However, pathologists and medical laboratory scientists are raising the alarm about a disturbing lack of quality and accuracy that exposes patients to unnecessary harm.
Cancer hospitals make gene tests a new standard for patient care
Bloomberg
Pinpointing the genetic changes that cause cancer has been a focus of researchers for more than a decade. Now, top cancer hospitals are making genetic testing a new standard of care in the field. When patients leave Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York after a biopsy, a sample of their tumor takes a different path. It travels across the street to a new laboratory, opened last month, where it will be tested for 341 genetic mutations, so-called biomarkers that will help doctors determine which drug may best help each patient, based more on their genetic profile than where the tumor appears.
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PRODUCT SHOWCASES
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Datacolor CHROMACAL™ standardizes color reproduction in digital brightfield images.
• Delivers a consistent, reliable basis for evaluation, communication, quantification, documentation and publication
• Includes image and monitor calibration software, along with a proprietary color calibration slide
• Integrates into existing imaging workflow
• Compatible with most microscopes, scientific cameras and acquisition software
LEARN MORE
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NanoMolds produce paraffin blocks much quicker and release easier than traditional methods – without the use of messy chemical mold release.
Requires less cleaning
Easier & Faster block release
Faster creation of the block
Available in 5 popular sizes
Call Sakura at 800-725-8723 for more information
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Visit LabStorage System’s updated website to view details about this new laboratory seating with specially formulated Infection Control coating. Non-porous and easily disinfected, this moisture proof coating is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and stain resistant. more
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Revolution in cancer treatment reported
Houston Chronicle
A class of drugs that frees the immune system to attack cancer, a new approach pioneered by a Houston scientist, is prolonging the lives of patients with a number of the hardest-to-treat forms of the disease, according to new research.
Ergonomics in histology
Advance
Ergonomics is a science, a science that deals with people and their working skills, environment and equipment. The healthcare field is no different than any other work force when it comes to skill and the ability to perform repetitious tasks. In the histology laboratory, there are many types of skills and continual work that produce physical stress, muscular tension and other strenuous health issues.
Immunotherapy the new tool in cancer fight
ABC Science
Immunotherapy has made great strides against cancers like melanoma that were once believed incurable, though scientists still do not understand why it works well in some cases but not others.
The technique, hailed as Science's breakthrough of 2013, involves training the immune system to attack tumors.
Lab IT put to the test
Health Data Management
When it comes to laboratory information systems, lab executives says it's been a few steps forward, a few steps back.
Advances in testing devices have expanded life-saving potential for molecular testing, mass spectrometry and flow cytometry, among others, and orders are flowing like a river for labs, especially those at academic medical centers and large health systems that cater to diverse patient populations and clinical staffs.
That progress, however, is tempered by the struggles for information systems to analyze and distribute results from more complex tests.
When doctors need advice, it might not come from a fellow human
Kaiser Health News
Modernizing Medicine, a Web-based repository of medical information and insights, is one of a growing number of similar tools around the country. It lets doctors tap into the collective knowledge of 4,000 providers and 13 million patients, as well as data on treatments other doctors provide patients with similar profiles. Then it spits out recommendations.
Tech titans like Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Apple already have made huge investments in artificial intelligence to deliver tailored search results and build virtual personal assistants.
Missed last week's issue? See which articles your colleagues read most.
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