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

Olympus America’s CLAB tackles how molecular diagnostics is changing the lab scene
 

Washington Report

Seize the day
By David L. Knowlton, BA, MA

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