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The test will allow Oregon Medical Laboratories to double its HIV testingcapacity and reduce the time it takes to get results for a patient's HIV viralload, which is important information for physicians to assess effectiveness ofpatient therapy.
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"This new molecular test from Roche Diagnostics ensures that our doctorsand hospitals can quickly obtain viral load results, allowing their patientsto begin the appropriate treatment as soon as possible," said Ran Whitehead,CEO of Oregon Medical Laboratories. "Because this molecular test is soprecise, our customers can have confidence as they monitor their patient'sviral loads over time that they are getting the most accurate results to helpthem make the best therapeutic decisions."
The test monitors HIV-1 viral replication and quantitates the viruspresent in patient samples over a much wider range than has been previouslybeen available to physicians. The fully automated technology delivers highlyaccurate results faster - a decisive advantage for doctors monitoring how wella chosen therapy is working for a patient.
As a Roche Molecular Center of Excellence, OML had access to the test asone of four participants in a nationwide study of the test's effectiveness.
"We strive to ensure that the communities we serve have access to the mostadvanced testing available," said Whitehead.
Currently, OML analyzes 5,500 HIV tests annually in Washington, Oregon andAlaska.
"This test provides patients and their physicians with access to the bestdiagnostic monitoring tool for HIV," said Susan Zienowicz, Vice President ofMolecular Diagnostics Sales and Marketing, Roche Diagnostics. "It's a creditto Oregon Medical Laboratories that it has sought out ways to offer the mostcutting edge technology to its customers."
About Oregon Medical Laboratories
Headquartered in Springfield, Ore., OML is Oregon's largest medicallaboratory, performing more than 7 million tests last year. With laboratoryand collection sites throughout the region, OML offers more than 1,000different medical diagnostic tests, clinical laboratory consultation and drugtesting services to thousands of hospitals, physician offices and employersthroughout the Pacific Northwest.
OML is one of a select number of laboratories nationwide to earn theMolecular Center of Excellence designation by Roche Diagnostics (a worldleader in diagnostics testing). The designation recognizes OML as a laboratorythat possesses the expertise, scientific acumen and instruments to performdiagnostic testing on a molecular and genomic level. In addition, OML is oneof fewer than 50 labs in the U.S. certified by the Substance Abuse and MentalHealth Services Administration.
Established in 1986, OML has been recognized by Oregon Business magazineas one of the best places to work in Oregon for the last four consecutiveyears. In addition, OML recently received the prestigious Emerald Award forJob Growth from the Eugene Area Chamber of CommerceMedia Contact: Linda Hawley Oregon Medical Laboratories 541-984-8225, [email protected]
SOURCE Oregon Medical Laboratories
