The present study investigated the feasibility of automating the specimen-pipetting component of sample preparation in the LCx Chlamydia assay (LCx-CT assay; Abbott Laboratories, Chicago, Ill.) by using a commercially available liquid-handling system (Tecan Genesis RSP100; Tecan Inc., Research Triangle Park, N.C.). The Tecan instrument proved to be comparable in both precision and accuracy to a...

BACKGROUND Purchase of automated systems in today's clinical laboratory needs justification based on demonstrable improvements in efficiency and a sound payback model. Few studies provide information on laboratory automation that focuses on the preanalytical portion of specimen processing. METHODS We recently evaluated an automated preanalytical processing unit (GENESIS FE500) at two academic...

Several different methods are available for measuring blood glucose in the clinical laboratory on physician’s office. As a result, confusion often arises in the clinical interpretation of glucose values that have been derived by different methocis. There are, of course, many variables to be considered when comparing methods, but the end result is that each method for glucose in whole blood or s...

I describe the automation/mechanization of several areas of sample processing at SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories. By analyzing and implementing new systems for conveyance and sorting of incoming specimens, specimen processing, within-laboratory specimen delivery, specimen storage and retrieval, and client resupply, we greatly improved the productivity of the nontechnical aspects of lab...

Scarring in quantum systems with classical chaotic dynamics is one of the most remarkable phenomena in modern physics. Previous works were concerned mostly with nonrelativistic quantum systems described by the Schrödinger equation. The question remains outstanding of whether truly relativistic quantum particles that obey the Dirac equation can scar. A significant challenge is the lack of a gene...

Character actor Walter Burke spoke his famous line about “plastics” just about the time that syringes made of plastic were being widely introduced to the medical marketplace. Plastics have taken hold in just about every aspect of modern life, including health care. Plastics equate to disposability, a characteristic that makes them valuable for eliminating cross-contamination in almost every are...

Forty-six LLETZ cone biopsies were performed at the Medical College of Georgia from January 1991 through December 1991. All LLETZ cones were performed for diagnostic reasons following colposcopic biopsies. The majority of procedures were done by residents in obstetrics and gynecology with direct faculty supervision. All specimens were critically evaluated by one pathologist with regard to speci...

In addition, due to the nature of ABG testing, clinicians cannot afford to waste time or resources when making decisions based on an ABG sample analysis. To ensure accurate results for such decision-making, it is imperative that the analytical process be as standardized and finely calibrated as possible. For example, variations in technique in the areas of specimen preparation, turnaround time ...

The Italian Group of Gastrointestinal Pathologists has named a committee to develop recommendations concerning the surgical pathology report for pancreatic cancer. The committee, formed by individuals with special expertise, wrote the recommendations, which were reviewed and approved by council of the Group. The recommendations are divided into several areas including an informative gross descr...