ACLA Blog
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A lab professional’s dedication to urgent, accurate COVID-19 testing
Suzanne Dale, who serves as the technical director of molecular biology at LabCorp, has been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic since the very start. In her role at LabCorp’s Center for Esoteric Testing in North Carolina, Suzanne has been an essential member of the COVID-19 response team – working to make sure that all COVID-19 diagnostic tests that run through her labContinue Reading »... -
With the help of clinical labs, “The Fight Is In Us” aims to boost convalescent plasma donations nationwide
ACLA member laboratories have been committed from the earliest stages of this pandemic to do everything possible to support the fight against COVID-19, performing nearly 27 million molecular tests for the virus while pioneering a wide range of innovative approaches to meet testing demand. As part of our ongoing work to support public health partners, ACLA is proud to support efforts to significantly increase donations ofContinue Reading »... -
Behind the Scenes Responding to COVID-19
Across the country, clinical laboratory professionals are hard at work developing innovative testing methods and performing complex diagnostic tests for COVID-19. Chris Burns, an instrument specialist at ARUP, is one of the many lab professionals helping to process ARUP’s COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test for patients each day. In his role at ARUP’s lab in Utah, Chris has been a vital member of the team,Continue Reading »... -
National Demand for COVID-19 Testing Requires Congress to Act, Approve Funding & Reimbursement for Testing Capacity
There is broad recognition among public health experts, the White House and congressional leaders that COVID-19 testing is the most critical element of our national response to this public health emergency. Our ability to assess every intervention – health or economic – depends on the availability of testing; yet, dedicated funding for testing is notably missing from current Congressional funding packages. Testing should be accessible forContinue Reading »... -
For patient facing mystery illness, the path to a life-changing diagnosis started with a lab test
For seven years, Cid Lopez suffered from a painful mystery illness. Worst of all, after visiting a number of specialists and undergoing multiple surgeries – including several painful spinal operations and a procedure to remove his gallbladder – he was no closer to identifying his condition. But everything changed when a sharp-eyed doctor ordered a very specific set of lab tests, unlocking the answersContinue Reading »... -
For patients living with chronic disease, routine testing drives healthier outcomes, better clinical decision making
Routine lab testing is often the starting point for care, driving accurate diagnosis and early treatment for millions of patients. This is especially true for the six in ten adults in the U.S. living with a chronic disease, who often require routine monitoring to reduce complications and manage their conditions. In particular, clinical laboratory diagnostics have a significant role in preventative care for heartContinue Reading »... -
For Seniors in Rural Communities, Erosion of Lab Benefits is an Urgent Threat
One in four seniors in the United States lives in a rural area—a notable statistic considering the unique set of health challenges these communities face. Nearly 80% of rural America is “medically underserved,” according to the federal government. Seniors living in these parts of the country have far fewer options for care and are often required to travel significant distances just to get theContinue Reading »... -
During emergencies and in everyday life, labs support public health goals
Clinical laboratory diagnostics advance public health goals in communities across the country every single day. For patients facing diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, prostate and colon cancers, anemia, infections and countless other common health conditions, routine lab tests are often the starting point for monitoring, diagnosing and treating disease. But our role in public health doesn’t stop there. Commercial labs have aContinue Reading »... -
New analysis challenges GAO Report’s assumptions on lab billing
A new analysis from Braid-Forbes Health Research exposes the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) flawed assumptions about lab billing practices by presenting survey data on more than 20 million actual clinical laboratory claims. Braid-Forbes’ analysis of publicly available data demonstrates that the GAO’s claim – that labs are receiving “excess payments” by charging Medicare for individual component tests in greater numbers rather than charging reducedContinue Reading »... -
With all eyes on cancer moonshot, labs continue to prove value
In 2019, an estimated 1.7 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. As patients and their families across the country grapple with how to manage and overcome this painful disease, clinical labs are busy developing and providing innovative methods to identify, diagnose and monitor cancer. From early detection and evaluating the best course of treatment,Continue Reading »...
