CAP TODAY Pathology/Laboratory Medicine/Laboratory Management
Raymond D. Aller, MD, and Hal Weiner
Technidata launches lab system
HHS seeks feedback on measuring growth of interoperability in health IT
Xifin upgrades collaboration and clinical data-management platform
Kalorama Information releases report on global LIS market
Aspyra announces LIS installation
Sunquest acquires GeneInsight
Sunquest Information Systems has purchased Gene-Insight, a developer of clinical genome interpretation and reporting software.
GeneInsight’s platform “advances our ability to deliver a complete and integrated workflow for both inherited and somatic testing efforts,” said Sunquest president Matthew Hawkins, in a statement. “We will continue to invest in GeneInsight and introduce additional solutions that advance molecular and genomic-based diagnostics.”
In 2014, Sunquest signed a deal with GeneInsight’s parent company, Partners Healthcare, to provide genetic testing workflow solutions to pathologists and clinical geneticists. As part of that arrangement, Sunquest made an undisclosed equity investment in GeneInsight.
Under the acquisition, GeneInsight will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Sunquest.
Sunquest Information Systems, 877-239-6337
Technidata launches lab system
Technidata has introduced its TD-NexLabs next-generation laboratory information system.
TD-NexLabs is the flagship product in the company’s new Livextens suite of lab solutions and addresses biochemistry, hematology, immunology, serology, virology, and microbiology. “It offers users a real-time view of key indicators present on the interactive dashboard along with advanced analytical and statistical tools, regardless of the complexity of the organization in which it is deployed,” according to a statement from Charlotte Latron, product manager at Technidata.
The system also provides a high degree of interoperability based on HL7 standards and facilitates laboratory accreditation with a comprehensive audit solution, as well as document-management, supervisory, and nonconformity management modules.
In a separate announcement, Technidata reported that it has interfaced its TD-NexLabs Microbiology module and TD-BactiLink Middleware with Copan Group’s WaspLab automated specimen-processing and digital microbiology solution.
“The WaspLab driver manages the most comprehensive sets of information available on Technidata’s LIS and middleware solutions to ensure full traceability and streamlined, automated workflows,” Mario Savarese, chief strategy officer at Copan, said in a statement.
Technidata, 770-888-4027
HHS seeks feedback on measuring growth of interoperability in health IT
“Today, we are asking for your input on ways to measure the progress toward a future where health information is flowing between providers and patients to support a health system that provides better care, smarter spending, and healthier people,” the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT posted last month on its Health IT Buzz blog.
The agency posted the blog, written by Seth Pazinski and Talisha Searcy, both of ONC’s Office of Planning, Evaluation and Analysis, in an effort to get feedback from the health IT community about how to measure interoperability and ensure that HHS is keeping pace with the objectives it laid out in the Nationwide Interoperability Roadmap and Federal Health IT Strategic Plan. To this end, HHS developed a downloadable request for information that asks a variety of questions that address which populations and key components of interoperability the agency should measure; how HHS can use current data sources and associated metrics to address requirements of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act; and which other data sources and metrics HHS should consider using to measure interoperability more broadly.
The public comment period closes June 3. The request for information is available at http://federalregister.gov/a/2016-08134.
Xifin upgrades collaboration and clinical data-management platform
Xifin has released a new version of its cloud-based physician collaboration and clinical data-management solution, Xifin ProNet.
This latest version of ProNet includes apps for Quality Star’s anatomic pathology case-review service and Mikroscan’s live remote microscopy solutions for use in real-time telepathology and whole slide imaging. It also aggregates and links patient and diagnostic information from iterative case reviews in an encounter-based record for collaboration and treatment-planning review; correlates results between disciplines to address areas of discordance; and provides access to comprehensive continuity-of-care documents that contain integrated radiology and pathology images.
Xifin ProNet is available as a standalone application or integrated with the Xifin LIS Anywhere cloud-based anatomic pathology and molecular diagnostics laboratory information system.
Xifin, 858-436-2995
Kalorama Information releases report on global LIS market
Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch.com, has released the report “The World Market for Laboratory Information Systems.”
The report analyzes the current and future world markets for clinical laboratory information systems and next-generation sequencing and drug discovery lab information management systems. It forecasts future growth in various market segments until 2020.
The report also includes, among other data, growth statistics for hospital labs and independent labs; information about recent LIS company mergers and acquisitions, interface capabilities, and contract types; and a breakdown of clinical laboratory clients and payers by type.
Kalorama Information, 800-298-5603
Aspyra announces LIS installation
Aspyra has implemented its CyberLab laboratory information system at Riordan Clinic, a nonprofit nutrition-based health facility in Wichita, Kan.
Aspyra, 888-731-0731
Dr. Aller is director of informatics and clinical professor in the Department of Pathology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. He can be reached at raller@usc.edu. Hal Weiner is president of Weiner Consulting Services, LLC, Eugene, Ore. He can be reached at hal@weinerconsulting.com.