Atlas Medical Software announces the release of LabWorks® version 10.0.0 for general distribution to existing and new laboratory outreach customers.

The Atlas LabWorks system is a scalable, cost-effective order-entry and results reporting solution for outreach environments. LabWorks features enable the laboratory to reduce medical necessity write-offs, accelerate collections and increase operational efficiency.

LabWorks version 10.0.0 includes enhancements that improve workflow efficiencies and data interoperability and communication. Highlights include support for the optional Atlas e-Prescribing Portal for integrated electronic prescribing, using Digital Rx™ from H2H Solutions Inc.

Additional items found in LabWorks 10.0.0 are designed to improve specimen collection workflow using automatic specimen volume management and advanced label generation, and enhance turnaround of clinical data to caregivers with improved scalability and centralized management of the automatic report generation process. LabWorks 10.0.0 also delivers a new user interface to improve navigation and enhance visual display.

The company will demonstrate LabWorks version 10.0.0 with LabEMR™, a solution that orchestrates workflow between a laboratory and physician EMRs or other third-party platforms to ensure receipt of clean and accurate electronic orders regardless of the EMR system, at the Washington G2 LabCompete conference at the Wild Horse Resort and Spa in Chandler, AZ, December 7-9. LabWorks and LabEMR are modules of Lab OuterWare™, an integrated suite of solutions for developing, managing and growing outreach business.

www.atlasmedical.com

Olympus now offers an ergonomically designed LED microscope system with easy handling, ultra-long-life illumination and robust capabilities. The all-new Olympus CX21LED^® microscope, designed for use by medical and veterinary students, new doctors and professionals working in small laboratories, provides durable, quality performance and allows for up to 10 years or more of daily use before a lamp change is necessary.

The microscope can be set up in minutes, and arrives complete with everything needed to begin imaging using brightfield illumination. Featuring world-renowned Olympus optical performance, the CX21LED delivers crisp, bright images, while maintaining the rugged, dependable performance for which Olympus microscopes have long been known. Darkfield imaging is available with the addition of a darkfield stop.

 "Imagine going more than 20,000 hours, or over 10 years of daily use, without needing to change a bulb," says Mark Clymer, product manager for core microscopy, Olympus America Inc. "This instrument gives users a 90 percent power savings over halogen illumination so it is much more cost-effective and environmentally friendly to operate than microscopes with conventional light sources. Plus, it offers stable color temperature across the full range of intensity, so as users change light intensity, they don't see color changes."

The latest offering in the respected series of Olympus CX microscopes, the new CX21LED complements the CX21 with halogen illumination, and joins two other instruments in the line--the CX31^®, which also handles phase contrast, polarized light and other techniques for forensic and laboratory applications, and the CX41^®, which offers fluorescence imaging and can be used for documentation, with an attached camera.

www.olympusamerica.com/educational_microscopes

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) has announced a number of new advancements to its miRCat™ small RNA cloning system. The updated kit is now even faster, permitting the cloning of small regulatory RNAs (miRNAs, piRNAs, siRNAs, etc) from any cellular source in any species, while saving valuable research time. The kit now includes the innovative Performa^® Spin Columns from Edge Biosystems. Featuring a fully hydrated gel matrix, the columns provide a convenient and simple method for recovering extremely pure RNA from denaturing PAGE gels. The IDT miRCat small RNA cloning system is compatible with the majority of existing relevant laboratory protocols, making it an essential tool for any small RNA research laboratory.

Dr. Mark Behlke, chief scientific officer at IDT says, "By decreasing the overall protocol time and adding the Performa Spin Columns, the miRCat kit now offers researchers an excellent system for creating small RNA libraries quickly and consistently".

Based upon a pre-activated adenylated oligonucleotide linkering method, the miRCat cloning system consists of three sequential protocols: RNA isolation and enrichment, cloning linker attachment and amplification and cloning. Furthermore, the miRCat-33™ option has been developed for the purpose of performing experiments in which a 5' ligation-independent step is required. Specific primers are also available to convert the resultant small RNA libraries using Roche/454 Life Science sequencing systems.

www.idtdna.com

COLA, an internationally respected clinical laboratory accreditation organization, launches a personalized desktop tool, designed to help laboratory personnel manage their laboratories and professional development more efficiently.

Called "COLAcentral," the web portal provides a variety of helpful electronic tools, giving laboratory personnel the ability to update their laboratory profile, view news alerts and survey results, prepare for upcoming compliance surveys and receive support for a wide range of laboratory needs. Key features include an easy-to-follow dashboard wheel that displays compliance status information at a glance, a self-assessment wizard allowing managers to monitor their laboratory's quality and a dedicated section for waived laboratories.  

"Laboratory managers are constantly challenged to act in accordance with Quality Systems, meet federal CLIA and state regulatory requirements and provide the best possible patient care," says Douglas Beigel, COLA chief executive officer. "COLAcentral helps them achieve these goals by providing a customizable desktop that lets them manage regulatory compliance, access educational resources, store and update records, receive industry alerts and talk online to their COLA surveyor from one convenient location."

The new tool also permits laboratory managers to:

• inform COLA of personnel updates, eliminating the need to fax this information,
• store information such as laboratory director forms and proficiency testing results in an electronic filing cabinet,
• view biographical information and photos of COLA laboratory surveyors,
• view current COLA account balance and make payments,
• register for COLA symposia and special programs and
• schedule surveyor visits.

Beigel added that laboratories with Certificates of Waiver can access the site by clicking on the "New to COLAcentral" tab on the homepage.

"Studies have shown that a noticeable percentage of waived sites are not meeting minimal requirements and are not aware of recommended practices to help ensure quality testing," says Beigel. "COLAcentral provides an easy-to-use and affordable solution to this problem, by allowing waived laboratories to access our growing library of more than of 60 online courses as well as a variety of other resources that help them improve performance."  

www.colacentral.org

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. introduces new Thermo Scientific Nalgene Economy Bottles. These lightweight, cost-effective bottles are the quality choice for light-duty laboratory applications such as containing samples and daily working solutions like buffers and bench reagents. Guaranteed leak-proof, the bottles offer exceptional durability and are chemically resistant.

Nalgene® Economy Bottles are available in either rigid high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or autoclavable polypropylene copolymer (PPCO). Both are excellent for room temperature, refrigerated and freezer use and feature the Nalgene linerless closure system for leakproof performance. Technical support is available to assist in selecting the right resin for research applications, ensuring optimal performance.   

The Economy Bottles are manufactured, assembled and conveniently packaged in an ISO-certified facility. Lot-specific product certificates of compliance are available for quality assurance.

www.thermo.com/economybottles