Menarini Diagnostics recently attended the Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology conference in Cardiff. The annual AAPT conference is an opportunity for delegates to update their knowledge of scientific, technological, legal and social issues relating to the healthcare science profession of anatomical pathology technology. The AAPT conference was attended mostly by mortuary technicians and presentations covered for instance diseases in the mortuary, inspection preparation and organ donation. On the Total Tissue Diagnostics exhibition stand there was the opportunity to see the Gold standard for digital imaging, the MacroVIEW DM that gathered a large of amount of interest. We would like to thank everyone that joined us at the meeting and we look forward to seeing you again.

The report from England's chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies details the ambition of NHS England to routinely provide genetic testing for cancer patients within the next five years. Professor Sally Davies wants whole genome sequencing to become as standard as blood tests and biopsies. In about two-thirds of cases, this type of information can improve the diagnosis and allows doctors to tailor treatment to the individual, ensuring patients receive the most effective drugs. At the moment more than 31,000 NHS patients have had their entire genetic code sequenced since 2013. At present there are 25 regional laboratories performing this type of genetic testing.

Read more: “All cancer patients should have their DNA tested to save lives”, Chief Medical Officer says

Patient Centred Processing is a new approach from Menarini to ensure that all patient samples are handled safely and quickly, to increase laboratory throughput and provide an accurate and fast turnaround time of results to patients.

There is a ‘national ambition in England to achieve earlier diagnosis’ as indicated in a report of the Independent Cancer Taskforce. The recommendation is that 95% of patients referred for testing by a GP should receive their results within 4 weeks by 2020.

Read more: Not Just Conventional Tissue Processing!

Menarini Diagnostics has organised the second Surgical Specimen Symposium seminar in 2017. The event was held at the Renaissance Manchester Hotel on Wednesday 28th June. There where ones again around 20-30 attendees from different departments and institutions such as laboratories, tissue banks, operating theatres and Health & Safety.

Read more: Menarini's Seminar Series: Surgical Specimen Management® Event 28th of June

On January 1st 2016, formaldehyde was reclassified as a Category 1B carcinogen and Category 2 mutagen under the CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) Regulations EC 1272/2008.

Category 1B substances are presumed to have carcinogenic potential for humans. Therefore under COSHH there is a duty on employers to reduce exposure to such substances to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.

Read more: IMPORTANT INFORMATION NOTICE

Read more: Affordable Digital Imaging Solutions

Menarini has completed its first 2017 Surgical Specimen Symposium seminar at the Regent Conference and events centre in London on Thursday 2nd February.

The seminar focused on the latest technologies and processes developed to minimise exposure to formalin, control fixation of surgical specimens and thus enabling optimal diagnostic reporting. The innovative solutions, TissueSAFE and SealSAFE enable full chain-of-custody specimen tracking starting in theatres. It also allows fixation to be brought under the control of the histology laboratory, making it a real science for optimal diagnostic results. Menarini also presented the brand new systems for Frozen Tissue Management, PrestoCHILL, FlashFREEZE and PRESTO. They day finished with demonstrations of the equipment which is always a highlight of our seminars!

Read more: Menarini's Seminar Series: Surgical Specimen Management

Menarini Diagnostics has made a significant investment in a new demonstration and training suite which has been opened in our UK headquarters at Winnersh Triangle business park, near Reading just off J10 of the M4.  “This is a fantastic opportunity to present the full Total Tissue Diagnostics range in one place.  We are looking forward to welcoming customers to the office and to being able to demonstrate the full capabilities of our product range.

Read more: New demonstration suite opened at Menarini UK headquarters.