![](features/2009_april/images/0409cover.jpg)
Cover Story
West Nile virus: the current climate
The large number of cases of human disease attributed to WNV infection and the absence of effective treatments fuels the need for suitable vaccine candidates.
By Natalie A. Prow, PhD; Alexander A. Khromykh, PhD; and Roy A. Hall, PhD
WNV 2009: emerging to endemic in 10 years
Data from the West Nile National Conference suggests that both serological and molecular testing for WNV would be of value.
By Chris Gardner, BS
Features
Clinical Issues
Taking the guesswork out of venipunctures
With his X-ray vision, Superman would make a great phlebotomist — he would never miss a vein. If you are not from Krypton, look for a vein finder.
By Dennis J. Ernst, MT(ASCP)
Medical Laboratory of the Year 2009
Winning teams: A common vision yields uncommon results
MLO’s annual competition to celebrate National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week ends with a winner and two runners-up. Meet our 2009 top-notch labs.
Executive Snapshot
Curt Johnson delivers Orchard to market
Sponsoring CLMA’s ThinkLab is but one of this company’s many public-spirited activities. Its VP of Sales & Marketing explains why.
Special Feature
Disasters require POC technology
Regional catastrophes in communities without POCT resources highlight the need for POC technologies capable of effectively operating in those situations.
By Kristin N. Hale, BS, BA; T. Keith Brock, BS, and Gerald J. Kost, MD, PhD, MS, FACB
Clinical Condition Review
A harmful banana?
An ER patient suffers, the author carefully reviews the pathophysiology and pre-analytical factors, and outlines the treatment for her condition.
By Michael Lazzari, MS, BS(CLS), MT(ASCP)
Trends in rapid testing
Trends in rapid testing
Learn about the many faces of rapid testing from well-versed representatives of well-known industry manufacturers.
Columns
From the Guest Editor
Have you spoken to Ray Gambino?
By Ray Gambino, MD
The
Observatory
News/Trends/Analysis
Management
Q&A
Addressing management issues
Edited by C. Anne Pontius, MBA, CMPE, MT(ASCP)
Tips
from the Clinical Experts
Answering your questions
Edited by Daniel M. Baer, MD
Liability and the Lab
Prepare for occupational blood-borne pathogen exposure
By Barbara Harty-Golder, MD, JD
Expert Roundtable![](features/2009_april/images/expert.jpg)
Olympus America’s CLAB tackles how molecular diagnostics is changing the lab scene
Washington
Report
Seize the day
By David L. Knowlton, BA, MA
Click here for news
In Memoriam
Daniel M. Baer, MD, Editor
MLO’s Tips from
the clinical experts
![](images/dBaer_m.jpg)
Sept. 29, 1931
April 5, 2009
Dr. Baer’s family requests
messages be sent to
cbersch@nelsonpub.com
More details
later in this space.
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