BLOGS

Updated Provider Guidance on Serologic Testing for SARS-CoV-2

Published by Nina Luning Prak, MD, PhD, on March 15, 2023

The Clinical Immunology and Clinical Core labs at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania have discontinued serologic testing for SARS-CoV-2. The two tests that were previously performed, COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies (Anti-Nucleocapsid IgG Antibody) and SARS-CoV-2 Serology, antibodies, immunoassay (RBD assessment), are no longer available as in-house assays.

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A Message from the Interim Chair Dr. Kathleen Montone

Published by Kathleen T. Montone, on January 12, 2023

I am excited to lead the transition to a new Chair as I take over the helm of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine from Dr. David Roth on an interim basis. I am committed to sustaining the momentum that the Department has developed over the last ten years. The Search Committee will finalize its decision for a new Chair over the next few months, so I want to take this opportunity to reflect on where we are today and what we have accomplished.

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Making Changes That Make a Difference - Hiring with "Cultural Humility" in the BioBank

Published by Fred Valdivieso and Gabriella Macera, on August 31, 2022

Cultural Humility is one of the six key standards we are trying to foster across the entire health system. Here is a Penn Medicine Experience story about cultural humility and emotional intelligence from the Tissue Processing Lab in the Penn Medicine BioBank.

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New High Sensitivity Troponin Assay at UPHS

Published by Charlene Bierl, MD, PhD, on August 08, 2022

High Sensitivity Troponin, a new, clinically validated assay that allows for more rapid and accurate detection of myocardial injury, was launched throughout UPHS, highlighting our goal of a systemic integration at a multi-entity and multidisciplinary level.

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Introducing PennLab

Published by Michael Feldman, MD, PhD, on May 03, 2022

The PennLab initiative aims to achieve systemic harmonization of laboratory services and establish collaborative inter-entity clinical projects across the system under the motto of One System, One Lab.

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Some More Departmental Resources on Leadership Tools, IDEAs in Action, and Digital Pathology

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on February 18, 2022

I am very grateful that so many Department members have taken the initiative to support all our efforts around leadership development, diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellness. In light of their work, I want to share with you a few resources from our colleagues.

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On Our Way to a Return to Normal Operations

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on May 25, 2021

While we are still facing a long road to normalcy, it is exciting to hear how successful our progress has been so far. And yet I also believe that a shared experience of struggle and the acknowledgment of suffering among us can be an opportunity for us to learn as a Department.

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Lab Week 2021 and Better Days Ahead

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on April 20, 2021

This year's official Lab Week theme is "We Believe in Heroes: Avengers of the Laboratory." Over the last year, I have witnessed firsthand the heroic efforts our medical laboratory professional colleagues have made under very challenging circumstances.

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Contributions from our Research Community and from the Department's IDEA Committee

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on April 06, 2021

Every single one of us has a crucial role to play, both in fighting the pandemic and for incorporating equity into our teaching, research, and laboratory practice.

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Entering the Second Year of the Pandemic

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on March 03, 2021

An important thing to come out of this crisis is the way it has brought members of our Department closer together in new and unexpected ways.

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Commitment in Our Community

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on June 17, 2020

Update June 17:  I have found solace in the recent displays of solidarity and the commitment in our community to actions that will have a lasting effect.

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Phase I of Research Resumption

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on May 29, 2020

Update May 29:  Guidelines for the safe return to campus and COVID-19-related research by Department faculty members.

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Travel Policies, CEO Town Hall, and Extension of Probationary Periods

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on May 20, 2020

Update May 20:  Personal travels and vacations, extension of probationary period for tenure, CE, and research tracks, CEO townhall and seminar on healthcare innovation during COVID-19.

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Strategies for Patient Safety and Research Resumption Plan

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on May 14, 2020

Update May 14:  Strategies to safeguard patients and staff, phased research resumption plan, resources around online learning, and a visit from Gritty!

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Phased Return to Clinical Research and Other Research Activities

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on May 11, 2020

Update May 11:  Clinical research, PSOM research activities and a gradual return to work, and the teams who brought our current antibody test online in a rapid manner!

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Phase I of our New Normal and Antibody Testing Updates

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on May 07, 2020

Update May 7: "One of the nicest things to come out of our new situation is that I get a chance to interact with many of our colleagues from the Department in new ways."

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COVID-19 Clinical Testing Oversight Committee

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on May 04, 2020

Update May 4: COVID-19 Clinical Testing Oversight Committee, FAQs around patient resurgence, and residents' efforts to produce viral transport media (VTM) to create collection kits.

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Limitations of Commercial Antibody Tests

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on April 29, 2020

Update April 29:  Limitations of commercial antibody tests, new scientific articles, a new update frequency, and a note of gratitude.

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Updated SARS-COV-2 Test Ordering Information

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on April 28, 2020

Update April 28:  Updated SARS-COV-2 test ordering information, new FAQs for SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Testing, and Dr. Carl June elected to National Academy of Sciences.

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Research Resumption Taskforces and Antibody Tests in the News

Published by David B. Roth, MD, PhD, on April 27, 2020

Update April 27:  Resumption of research activities, SEPTA changes, reports on commercial antibody tests, and an Air Force flyover.

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