PathConnect Application Scheduled Maintenance

This will take effect June 29, 2013

PathGroup is releasing enhancements to the PathConnect application effective July 1, 2013. To minimize disruption to your daily operations, we will be migrating from the old PathConnect platform to the new platform on Saturday, June 29, 2013, between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. CT. During this time you may experience an interruption in PathConnect service. We expect the transition to move quickly and it is likely you will not experience any downtime to your daily workflow.

Click Here to read more.

PathConnect Application Enhancements/Updates

This will take effect July 1, 2013

PathGroup is pleased to release enhancements to the barcoding of labels from the PathConnect Application. This development will provide PathGroup with the ability to barcode specimen in your office, while associating specified testing to predetermined tube selections. These changes will improve efficiencies in clinical lab operations.

Beginning the week of June 10, 2013 and continuing through the month of June, PathGroup territory account manager will be reaching out to you to provide training and review of these system changes.

Click Here to read more.

PathConnect Specimen Labeling Project

PathGroup is pleased to announce the process enhancement release of barcoding labels from the PathConnect application. This development will provide PathGroup with the ability to barcode specimens in the client office, while associating specified testing to predetermined tube selections. This document will provide you with step-by-step instructions as they pertain to changes inside of the PathConnect application, as well as demonstrations of the proper labeling of specimen tubes for instrumentation scanning and analysis in the clinical lab.

Click Here to read more.

Standard of Care Hits Close to Home – CAP Today

Brentwood, Tenn (May 30, 2013) -Dr. Pranil K. Chandra, Director of Molecular Pathology Services and Interim Medical Director of Clinical Pathology at PathGroup, is featured in the latest addition of CAP Today discussing how he and his molecular pathology team work to maintain gown-level care across multiple cities and states.

Click Here to read the full article.

HPV Genotyping 16, 18 & 45 – Test Update

This will take effect May 13, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

PathGroup is now performing HPV Genotyping using the APTIMA HPV 16 18/45 assay by GenProbe. Genotyping will be performed upon client request based on an “HPV Positive – HIGH Risk” result. PathGroup’s HPV Genotyping is a qualitative assay for the three most common HPV genotypes (16, 18 and 45) – associated with approximately 80% of all invasive cervical cancers. This assay allows for rapid risk stratification and is ASCCP recommended for patients who are HPV positive high risk via DNA testing.

Click Here to read more.

QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube – Test Update

This will take effect May 6, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective May 6, 2013, PathGroup will implement the QuantiFERON®-TB (QFT) Gold in-house test. The QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube assay is an innovative whole-blood test that measures the cell-mediated immune response of tuberculosis (TB) infected individuals.

Click Here to read more.

BCR/ABL International Scale for Confirmed CML – Test Update

This will take effect April 22, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

PathGroup is now reporting BCR/ABL [t(9:22)(q34;q11)] for confirmed CML patients on the International Scale (IS) of measurement. The efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) is routinely monitored with serial PCR analysis of BCR/ABL fusion gene expression. The National Comprehensive Care Network goal of therapy is achievement of a “major molecular response” (MMR), defined as a 3-log reduction in BCR/ABL to ABL fusion product. MMR is associated with excellent progression free survival.

Click Here to read more.
For non-CML patients, click Here to read more.

1,5 anhydroglucitol (GlycoMark) – Test Update

This will take effect March 28, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective March 28, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for 1,5 Anhydroglucitol (GlycoMark®). GlycoMark® is a newly FDA approved blood test which measures 1,5 anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG), a glucose analogue in serum or EDTA plasma, for the intermediate-term monitoring of glycemic control in individuals with diabetes.

Click Here to read more.

ImmunoCAP Allergy Testing – Test Update

This will take effect February 4, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective February 4, 2013 PathGroup will implement ImmunoCAP allergy testing on the Phadia 250. ImmunoCAP specific IgE is an in vitro quantitative assay which measures the concentration of circulating allergen specific IgE in human serum or plasma samples. It is intended for in vitro diagnostic use as an aid in the clinical diagnosis of IgE mediated allergic disorders in conjunction with other clinical findings.

Click Here to read more.

Fibrinogen and Factor VIII Activity – Test Update

This will take effect January 28, 2013

Overview and Clinical Utility:

Effective January 28, 2013, PathGroup will implement in-house testing for Fibrinogen and Factor VIII Activity.  Fibrinogen is a coagulation factor (Factor I) produced by the liver, and is essential for blood clot formation.  Low levels of fibrinogen are associated with bleeding commonly secondary to liver disease or Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC).  Fibrinogen is an acute phase reactant and elevated levels may be associated with inflammation.  Increased concentrations are associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis.

Click Here to read more.