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Two years after legalizing recreational marijuana, Nevada is telling job seekers: Light 'em up![CR-LF][CR-LF]Starting next year, employers won't be allowed to reject potential job seekers because they failed a test for marijuana use. According to a new law signed this month, an employer can't "fail or refuse to hire a prospective employee because the prospective employee submitted to a screening test and the results of the screening test indicate the presence of marijuana."[CR-LF][CR-LF]The substance remains illegal on the federal level, and is the most commonly detected illicit drug in employment drug testing, according to Quest Diagnostics. Traces of the drug can persist in someone's body for as long as 30 days after the last time they used it, some studies have found.

A positive test for marijuana in pre-employment drug screenings won't be a problem for most people in Nevada, beginning next year.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Nevada became the first state to approve such a drug test law last week, two years after recreational marijuana sales began in the Silver State. The law will not apply to EMTs, firefighters and those who drive vehicles, however. Employers can also reject job applicants for marijuana drug test results if usage can put others' safety at risk.Nationally, about 2.8% of urine-based workplace drug screenings tested positively for marijuana in 2018, according to Quest Diagnostics, a drug-testing service. Marijuana is also the most commonly detected illicit drug, according to the service.

Quest Diagnostics, Secaucus, NJ, has launched three laboratory testing packages for some of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and is making them available for online purchase by individuals across the continental United States.[CR-LF][CR-LF]The new STD testing packages are the first that any major national laboratory has made available for individuals to order at their discretion. The packages have been designed to meet the needs of individuals who want access to accurate basic or comprehensive STD testing, but are reluctant to engage their healthcare providers directly.

Last fall, Quest Diagnostics, a major drug-and-alcohol-testing provider, dug further into testing results by industry sector. Looking at both random and non-random testing, it found that between 2015 and 2017, the transportation and warehousing sector saw the largest overall increase in positive tests of any sector, in large part due to significant increases in positive tests for cocaine and marijuana. The sector’s overall positivity rate was lower than the majority of other sectors Quest reported on, but the rate of increase is a concern. Year over year, the rate of positive tests for cocaine increased 23% and for marijuana by 33%, Quest reported.

Why do companies use pre-employment drug testing? There are three circumstances in which workers encounter drug tests during the hiring process.[CR-LF][CR-LF]The first is when workers have applied for jobs subject to federally mandated safety testing. Some of those positions are government jobs, such as Customs and Border Patrol agents, while others are in private sector industries such as transportation and nuclear power production. Companies test for drugs using three main specimen types: urine, hair and oral fluid. Each one has different detection windows, advantages and disadvantages.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Urine is the most common sample type, and it's currently the only type permitted by federal testing rules, says Barry Sample, senior director of science and technology at Quest Diagnostics, a clinical laboratory that performs drug testing for employers.

HealthLynked Corp, a leading digital healthcare company, announced today that it has integrated over 400 Quest Diagnostic Collection Center locations throughout the Southeast into the HealthLynked Network's responsive mapping program. Quest Collection Centers are marked by the distinctive Quest logo in the map window of the HealthLynked application, allowing patient members to locate the nearest collection center for lab testing. Hours of operation and that location's services appear in an expanding window above the map pin. The company also has paired participating insurance providers with its patient members.

An agreement has been reached between the HSE and a US laboratory to process the backlog of smear tests in the Cervical Check screening programme.[CR-LF][CR-LF]It follows weeks of uncertainty, with slides put into storage as there were no labs to process them.[CR-LF][CR-LF]The Irish Times reports the deal with Quest Diagnostics will ensure the survival of the screening programme.

The prospect of marijuana legalization might inspire visions of weed-smoking breaks at work, or grabbing a joint with co-workers after a hectic day at the office.[CR-LF][CR-LF]But the reality of legalization in Illinois will likely be much hazier. Some employers might start turning a blind eye to employee use - as long as workers can still do their jobs - a trend that's already happening in some other states where it's legal. Other employers, however, might still ban its use, taking action against employees who test positive for pot, bolstered by federal law under which marijuana is still illegal, experts say.For example, in Colorado, about 96% of employers who used the drug testing company Quest Diagnostics in 2017 still included marijuana in their employee drug testing, said Dr. Barry Sample, senior director of science and technology for Quest's employers solutions business. In Nevada, where recreational cannabis use is also legal, that number was 91% in 2017.

Steve Rusckowski was appointed CEO of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. This analysis aims first to contrast CEO compensation with other large companies. After that, we will consider the growth in the business. Third, we'll reflect on the total return to shareholders over three years, as a second measure of business performance. The aim of all this is to consider the appropriateness of CEO pay levels.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated Strategy, SWOT and Corporate Finance Report, is a source of comprehensive company data and information. The report covers the company's structure, operation, SWOT analysis, product and service offerings and corporate actions, providing a 360 view of the company.

Quest Diagnostics announced this week that it is participating in the NCI-Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice clinical trial as a designated laboratory. The firm said both its Med Fusion 50Seq cancer panel and IBM Watson Genomics from Quest Diagnostics service fulfill the trial's criteria for tumor profiling. Under the terms of the collaboration, when oncologists at participating NCI-MATCH sites order tumor profiling to guide clinical care for their patients, Quest will look for trial matches for the patients.

Blockchain holds much promise for improving data privacy, integrity, and quality, although a lot of companies are taking a wait-and-see approach to the model. Quest Diagnostics is not one of them. The provider of clinical lab services for more than a year has been involved in pilot project with other healthcare companies to apply blockchain technology to improve data quality and reduce administrative costs associated with changes to healthcare provider demographic data.

When you have an illness, you begin to learn a whole new language when it comes to taking responsibility for your health. Your physical triggers like (cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, leaky gut, IBS, TSH, fibromyalgia, Type II Diabetes, hypothyroidism, dementia, autism, Parkinson’s, bipolar, autism, schizophrenia, colon, rectal and breast cancers), take center stage in your search for wellness. If you’re not sure if you have MTHFR Gene Mutation, but you have symptoms, you can order the test through your doctor. Most insurance will cover some of the expense. Other options will require you to create a user login: MTHFR Support, dnalife Spectracell Labs, Quest Diagnostics and Lab Corp.

Quest Diagnostics (DGX), a leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced it is participating as a designated laboratory in the NCI-Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice (NCI-MATCH or EAY131) precision medicine trial, the largest precision medicine trial of its kind. The trial is co-led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN). Tumor gene testing by a designated lab is the only pathway for patients to enroll.

Sonora Quest Laboratories, Arizona’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, is pleased to welcome Sonya Engle as Chief Operations Officer. An executive with extensive experience leading laboratory testing, program expansion and strategic relationship management initiatives, Engle will head Sonora Quest's laboratory and technical operations.[CR-LF][CR-LF]As COO, Engle will combine operations and talent development, while focusing on motivating and leading a high-performance team to accommodate the rapid growth, services, and innovation at Sonora Quest.

Rejenevie™ Therapeutics announced the commencement of the company's Phase II clinical trial to study the safety and effectiveness of its proprietary AR-100 immune restoration therapy to boost the function of the aging immune system. The clinical-stage biotechnology company develops first-in-world stem cell restoration treatments targeting age-related diseases.[CR-LF]Upon arrival at the Okyanos Center, the restored stem cells are delivered back into the patient through intravenous infusion in a process lasting approximately one hour. After the patient is discharged and returns home, he or she receives periodic blood testing over a 12-month period using a kit developed with global diagnostics company Quest Diagnostics to ensure safety and to determine the therapy's effectiveness.

Quest Diagnostics, a leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced it is participating as a designated laboratory in the NCI-Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice (NCI-MATCH or EAY131) precision medicine trial, the largest precision medicine trial of its kind. The trial is co-led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN). Tumor gene testing by a designated lab is the only pathway for patients to enroll.

Nonfasting and fasting lipid levels from the same patients had similar results for associations with incident coronary and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to results published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Mora reports receiving grants from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Pfizer during the conduct of the study; personal fees from Amgen, Pfizer, and Quest Diagnostics, and grants from Atherotech Diagnostics Lab outside the submitted work. Please see study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.

UnitedHealthcare, the health insurance arm of UnitedHealth Group, has once again been named the most valuable healthcare brand in the world by Brand Finance, a business valuation and strategy consultancy.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Each year, Brand Finance uses a seven-step process to assess and rank the value of thousands of companies' brands from around the world. Brand Finance uses a variety of metrics, including marketing investment and business performance, to evaluate brands to determine their strength. Access additional information about the brand valuation methodology here. Quest Diagnostics appeared at number 25.

The rate of workforce drug positivity hit a fourteen-year high in 2018, according to a new analysis released by Quest Diagnostics, a provider of diagnostic information services. Positivity rates in the combined U.S. workforce increased nearly 5% in urine drug tests (4.2% in 2017 versus 4.4% in 2018), climbing to the highest level since 2004 (4.5%) and are now more than 25 % higher than the thirty-year low of 3.5% recorded between 2010 and 2012.

Over the past several decades, public health experts and physicians have pinned a hefty portion of the blame for heart disease on saturated fat. That’s not without reason. The long-chain saturated fatty acids found in foods like steak, butter, and coconut oil raise artery-clogging low–density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. At the same time, diets high in red meat have been strongly associated with heart disease and mortality.For now, there’s no official guidance on whether to test TMAO levels or in whom. (As a coinventor of the TMAO blood test offered by Quest Diagnostics, Hazen and the Cleveland Clinic are eligible to receive royalties from its use.) There’s also no consensus on whether the metabolite should be reduced and to what level—or how. (One study suggests that low-dose aspirin partially reduces elevated TMAO.) As such, far fewer physicians offer TMAO screening compared with routine cholesterol testing.

The grass-roots trend is back and it’s bringing cannabis with it. Now that CBD is considered legal under federal law, it’s been turned into all types of wellness concoctions, from food and drink to body balms and makeup products. The wellness claims are rampant, but users still have plenty of questions regarding what goes on inside their bodies when they start using CBD (cannabidiol), and if it’s fully legal, safe and effective. The testing surrounding this topic is limited, but according to Barry Sample, director of Science and Technology at Quest Diagnostics Laboratories, only marijuana metabolites, i.e. THC, will show up in drug screenings. Until this is proven, however, it may be wise to avoid all CBD products before being screened for drugs.

In Quest Diagnostics’ decision to change addresses from Madison — its longtime corporate headquarters — to Secaucus, there was one benefit that prevailed above all others in considerations: It would be going where the talent was.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Cecilia McKenney, Quest’s senior vice president and chief human resources officer, said that’s why those in the health care company’s human resource department were the staunchest proponents of the 2016 move.

Lyme disease is in the spotlight this month in Franklin County. [CR-LF][CR-LF]The chronic and debilitating tick-borne illness is more prevalent in Pennsylvania than any other state, and has been since 2011. The number of cases varies depending on the reporting source, but the commonwealth's status as No. 1 in the nation is common among them. [CR-LF][CR-LF]Lab testing company Quest Diagnostics reported 10,001 Pennsylvanians were infected with Lyme disease in 2017. The number of cases increased significantly from 2016 and increased by 78 percent from 2015.

Ticks and the diseases they carry are on the move, rapidly expanding into new territories once considered inhospitable.[CR-LF][CR-LF]While many factors are to blame, the U.S. government affirmed with "high confidence" in a report that one reason is warmer weather connected to climate change.In the last decade, the number of cases of Lyme disease in the U.S. have tripled, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The risk of this tick-borne disease was historically concentrated in the Northeast and upper Midwest, but a recent study by lab giant Quest Diagnostics found cases of Lyme have been detected in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Oxford Immunotec Global PLC, a global, high-growth diagnostics company, today announced that it welcomes the updated Tuberculosis Screening, Testing, and Treatment of U.S. Health Care Personnel: Recommendations from the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association and CDC, 2019, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)1. These guidelines increase the focus on eradicating tuberculosis (TB) disease in the United States through an individual risk-based approach to screening and treatment for Healthcare Personnel (HCP).[CR-LF]T-SPOT.TB is available nationally through Quest Diagnostics and regionally through laboratory partners.

The good news for New Jersey? The state is home to 20 Fortune 500 companies, including four in the Top 100 — Johnson & Johnson, Prudential Financial, Merck and Honeywell — according to the latest rankings by the magazine, which were released Thursday.[CR-LF][CR-LF]The bad news? Two of those 20 companies are in the process of relocating their headquarters out of state.[CR-LF][CR-LF]No. 404: Quest Diagnostics (Secaucus);

CBD here, CBD there, CBD seems to be everywhere. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused about all the CBD-infused coverage lately, you’ve come to the right place. [CR-LF]Can you take CBD and fail a drug test?[CR-LF]It’s possible. Quest Diagnostics’ Barry Sample told Consumer Reports the urine test most commonly used for drug tests doesn’t look for CBD; it actually looks for a compound created by the body after THC is metabolized.

This year’s Fortune 500 marks the 65th running of the list. In total, Fortune 500 companies represent two-thirds of the U.S. GDP with $13.7 trillion in revenues, $1.1 trillion in profits, $22.6 trillion in market value, and employ 28.7 million people worldwide. Quest Diagnostics is number 404.

A southern Alabama police department is dropping a field test officers use to detect marijuana after the test suggested THC was in bottled CBD water that didn’t contain the marijuana chemical — a mishap that “exposed the deficiencies” of the test, police said.[CR-LF]Barry Sample, senior director of science and technology at the major drug testing company Quest Diagnostics, said the most common urine tests employers use don’t check for CBD, according to Consumer Reports.

The 26-year-old video producer from Reno, Nev., was shocked when a drug test he took as part of a job application came back positive for marijuana. The problem? He hadn’t used marijuana, he says. Instead, J.C., who prefers not to use his name, had taken CBD, or cannabidiol, from hemp to help with sleep and anxiety. And unlike THC, a related compound in cannabis plants, CBD can’t get you high.[CR-LF][CR-LF]So how can you fail a drug test after taking CBD? The urine test most commonly used doesn’t even look for CBD but instead a compound created by the body when it metabolizes THC, says Barry Sample, senior director of science and technology at Quest Diagnostics, the largest administrator of drug tests in the U.S. “There isn’t going to be a laboratory analytical false positive confusing CBD with a THC metabolite.”

Statistics Canada’s most recent National Cannabis Survey estimates 514,000 Canadians are using cannabis before or during work.[CR-LF][CR-LF]While age and gender don’t play a factor in terms of increasing the likelihood of consumption on the job, frequency of cannabis use does. Of cannabis consumers who use cannabis daily or almost daily, 27% of survey respondents say they also consume just before starting work or during working hours. By comparison, a mere 7% of respondents who enjoy cannabis on a more casual basis admit to doing so on the job.[CR-LF]American diagnostics firm Quest Diagnostics reports that the number of positive drug tests in the workplace hit a 14 year high in 2018, including rising numbers in every state where recreational cannabis is legal. The problem with these figures, however, is that they may just show increases because more tests are being conducted. It doesn’t necessarily mean an increase in consumption.

Quest Diagnostics Inc. announced a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, May 14th, RTT News reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 8th will be paid a dividend of 0.53 per share by the medical research company on Monday, July 22nd. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.19%.

Some employers choose to build their drug-free workplace programs by leveraging multiple specimen types such as oral fluid, urine, and hair. This diversity allows for accurate, reliable, flexible options that can help to meet a variety of program goals and objectives. Hair drug testing in particular, with its longer window of detection, can detect repetitive drug use for up to 90 days. The ability for a hair drug test to produce a long-term drug use history leads many employers to question whether a hair drug test can consistently and effectively detect one-time drug use.[CR-LF][CR-LF]The simple answer is probably not. Jarod Rowland, Laboratory Supervisor at Quest Diagnostics, specializes in hair testing technology. Rowland explained the strengths and limits of hair tests.

Many employers in New York City will no longer be able to test job applicants for marijuana or THC—the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis—under a rule that was just adopted in the Big Apple. The new mandate will take effect in 2020.[CR-LF][CR-LF]"Prospective employers don't test for alcohol, so marijuana should be no different. But in no way does this bill justify individuals going to work under the influence," said Jumaane Williams, New York City's public advocate and the legislation's sponsor. [CR-LF][CR-LF]We've rounded up the latest news on this topic. Here are SHRM Online resources and news articles from other trusted media outlets.

A friend gave me a great tip tonight! I don't know how I was unaware of this for the past two years![CR-LF][CR-LF]Create a user account with LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, the two big medical companies. Then go into the Apple Health app, tap the Health Data tab, and then the Health Records. Under the Accounts section, Add Account and connect to LabCorp and Quest. In a minute or so, it will suck down all your medical records, from routine health checks (cholesterol and blood pressure) to whatever you've got special to your health situation.

resident and chief executive officer of Quest Diagnostics, Rusckowski is a keen conceptual thinker and his experience and knowledge of the issues facing the industry make him the ideal leader to capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead in a dynamic health care environment. Before Quest, Rusckowski was CEO of Philips Healthcare, the largest unit of Royal Philips Electronics. During his time with Philips, revenues increased from approximately 6 billion euros in 2005 to approximately 9 billion euros in 2011, accounting for approximately 39 percent of Philips consolidated revenues, from 21 percent when he became CEO. Before joining Philips, Rusckowski held numerous management positions with the health care division of Hewlett-Packard/Agilent Technologies. He joined Philips when it acquired Agilent’s Healthcare Solutions Group in 2001.

Why do companies use pre-employment drug testing? There are three circumstances in which workers encounter drug tests during the hiring process.[CR-LF][CR-LF]The first is when workers have applied for jobs subject to federally mandated safety testing. Some of those positions are government jobs, such as Customs and Border Patrol agents, while others are in private sector industries such as transportation and nuclear power production.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Urine is the most common sample type, and it's currently the only type permitted by federal testing rules, says Barry Sample, senior director of science and technology at Quest Diagnostics, a clinical laboratory that performs drug testing for employers.

For most of the nearly 30 years I’ve been covering trucking, the industry has been trying to get a federal clearinghouse put in place that will help prevent drivers who test positive for illegal drugs at one company from simply going down the road and getting a job at a different fleet.[CR-LF][CR-LF]It looks like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will finally have one in place in 2020. It’s none too soon, as several factors point to the likelihood that there are more drivers out there under the influence of drugs than the official statistics indicate – and that it’s getting worse.[CR-LF]Last year, Quest Diagnostics, one of the primary labs used to conduct employment drug and alcohol tests, reported that the transportation and warehousing industry saw a 21% increase in positivity rates between 2015 and 2017. And that was before four semi-synthetic opioids (including hydrocodone) were added to the federally mandated drug-testing panel for safety-sensitive workers in January 2018.

For most of the nearly 30 years I’ve been covering trucking, the industry has been trying to get a federal clearinghouse put in place that will help prevent drivers who test positive for illegal drugs at one company from simply going down the road and getting a job at a different fleet.

It looks like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will finally have one in place in 2020. It’s none too soon, as several factors point to the likelihood that there are more drivers out there under the influence of drugs than the official statistics indicate – and that it’s getting worse.

It's the time of year when seemingly everyone in D.C. is sneezing and rubbing their eyes.

Especially for newcomers, allergies seem to be worse in D.C. than in other areas of the country. But one allergist said that might actually be true.

Jenni Yoon works at the Allergy and Asthma Center in Silver Spring, Md. She said she can't be sure why allergies seem to be worse in the district. But Yoon said she's seen a steady increase in the severity of symptoms in the past few years -- with 2019 being the worst.

Employers concerned about the increasing use of marijuana among their workers, especially in states that allow it recreationally, may want to reevaluate their policies dealing with drug testing and/or use. That’s one suggestion from the authors of a recent report on workplace drug testing positiviity rates.

Quest Diagnostics’ analysis this month showed the positive rate of workplace drug tests climbed to its highest level since 2004, mainly due to marijuana. The relaxation of some state laws, combined with the tight labor market have prompted some employers to exclude THC from their drug tests. But others seeking to protect their employees and customers, are advised to weigh the risks the drug may pose to their businesses, as they craft policies.

Oxford Immunotec reported today a 27 percent year-over-year increase in first quarter revenues primarily on growth in tuberculosis testing in all geographies.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, Oxford Immunotec logged $14.8 million in total revenues compared to $11.7 million in the year-ago period. On a constant-currency basis, Q1 revenues increased 39 percent year over year.

On a conference call following release of the company's earnings, Oxford Immunotec CEO Peter Wrighton-Smith noted that revenues came in above the company's implied guidance range of $13.4 million to $14.1 million.

Investors with a long-term horizong may find it valuable to assess Quest Diagnostics Incorporated's (NYSE:DGX) earnings trend over time and against its industry benchmark as opposed to simply looking at a sincle earnings announcement at one point in time. Below is my commentary, albiet very simple and high-level, on how Quest Diagnostics is currently performing.

Before diving into an analysis of these and similar questions, it’s important to get on the same page regarding the substance. Cannabidiol – or CBD – is a chemical found in marijuana and its close relative, hemp. Pure CBD does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient found in marijuana that produces a high.[CR-LF][CR-LF]The most common CBD formulation started as oil, but CBD is also sold as an extract, a vaporized liquid, and an oil-based capsule. CBD-infused beverages are probably the most common CBD product, but use of CBD-based cosmetic and skincare products is surging in both retail stores and online.[CR-LF][CR-LF]This means that one of your workers or applicants might think they are staying on the right side of the law when using a CBD product, but could inadvertently ingest substances that violate your valid drug policies. Barry Sample, the Director of Science and Technology for the drug testing laboratory Quest Diagnostics, recently observed that the government is not ensuring the level of THC remains low because CBD oil is not regulated in the United States. Therefore, he said, “if somebody is using a CBD oil that contains residual THC in it, they very likely could test positive on a urine drug test. Not because of the CBD itself – but because of a contaminant that is in that oil.”

Shares of LabCorp moved lower following the afternoon disclosure and are trading down $1.51 to $164.12. LabCorp competitor Quest Diagnostics (DGX) gave up some of its gains as well but the shares remain up 51c to $98.67 in afternoon trading.

While the ultimate impact of UnitedHealthcare's newly launched Preferred Laboratory Network remains to be seen, some clinical lab players are suggesting it could be the first step in a broader trend.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Last week UHC announced the lab companies — AmeriPath/DermPath, a division of Quest Diagnostics; BioReference and its GeneDx business; Invitae; Laboratory Corporation of America; Mayo Clinical Laboratories; and Quest — it had selected as participants in its PLN program, which will go into effect on July 1, 2019.

Healthcare Technology Analyst Gill holds a conference call with CEO Rusckowski on May 2 at 1 pm hosted by JPMorgan.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated executed a shelf takedown of $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.200% senior notes due 2029. Goldman Sachs, Mizuho Securities, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan Securities and Wells Fargo Securities acted as joint book-running managers for the offering.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services.

The most recent version of an annual report issued by Quest Diagnostics indicates that 4.4 percent of workplace drug tests in 2018 were positive for illicit drugs, an increase over the 4.2 percent positivity rate in 2017 and the highest rate since 2004. According to Quest, the increase was largely fueled by marijuana use. Across the U.S. work force, the percentage of drug tests that were positive for marijuana rose from 2.6 percent in 2017 to 2.8 percent in 2018.

Genomic Vision (Paris:GV) (FR0011799907 - GV), a company specialized in the development of in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests for the early detection of cancers and genetic diseases and applications for life sciences research (LSR), today announced its revenue and cash position1 at March 31, 2019. First quarter 2019 revenue In € thousands Q1 2019 Q1 2018 Revenue from R&D collaboration with Quest Diagnostics 75 75 Sales of products and

With the recent formation of the Get the Medications Right (GTMRx) Institute, Quest Diagnostics and the other institute co-founders aim to drive the use of advanced diagnostics for guiding patient treatment.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Launched this month by organizations including J&J, Medecision, and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, the institute will function "as an advocacy entity" for companion diagnostics and pharmacogenomic testing, said Steve Goldberg, vice president, medical affairs, population health and chief health officer, health and wellness at Quest, and a member of the GTMRx board.

Changes in state laws regarding the treatment of marijuana, which are in direct conflict with federal law, have raised concerns and caused confusion among employers and employees regarding standards for drug-free workplaces and employment drug testing procedures and programs. An Arizona US District Judge is the latest to weigh in on the matter—ruling on the side of a Walmart worker who had been fired after failing a company drug test.[CR-LF][CR-LF]US employers are feeling the impact of liberalized marijuana laws, according to employment drug testing performed by Quest Diagnostics, a leading provider of diagnostic information services.

One day after the Texas House overwhelmingly voted to virtually decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana for first-time offenders, the president of the Texas Senate effectively drove a stake through the heart of the measure.[CR-LF][CR-LF]"I join with those House Republicans who oppose this step toward legalization of marijuana," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a tweet Tuesday morning. Marijuana use is on the rise among US workers, a study from Quest Diagnostics found, increasing by 16% since 2014.

An alliance of independent health systems across Massachusetts has expanded from three to 10 organizations, enabling them to leverage cheaper contracts while maintaining their autonomy.[CR-LF][CR-LF]The Massachusetts Value Alliance, which initially formed in 2016, is a collaboration of 14 hospitals in the state that work together on group purchasing contracts and share best practices in order to be competitive in their market while still remaining independent. The combined health systems serve about 2 million people. Since the Massachusetts alliance formed three years ago, the organizations have worked together to negotiate on lab referral contracts. The members waited until their contracts were up and decided to go forward with one contract with Quest Diagnostics.

More U.S. workers are testing positive for marijuana while the number testing positive for opioids continues to decline, according to the annual Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Based on an analysis of nine million drug tests conducted in 2018, Quest determined that 5.1 percent of the general workforce tested positive for drugs and another 2.7 percent of workers in safety-sensitive positions regulated by federal law did so. Those in safety-sensitive jobs include pilots; rail, bus and truck drivers; and workers in nuclear power plants.

As hospitals turn to technology to overhaul the patient experience and improve profits, a range of vendors from are bring new products and outsourced services to meet that demand with artificial intelligence, data analytics and natural language processing as well as cognitive and process automation.The end-to-end solution may not work for every system, but all providers are looking to modernize. Some do it through Optum products such as computer assisted coding technologies with natural language processing baked in.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Using partner Quest Diagnostics, Optum360 can predict patient responsibility at the point of service.

As attorneys argued over a section of an Arizona law that differentiates between marijuana and cannabis, the state’s Supreme Court justices joked about baking pot brownies in their kitchens.[CR-LF][CR-LF]They clearly do not understand how the marijuana industry has irresponsibly manipulated pot into dangerously high levels of potency.[CR-LF]Marijuana use is on the rise among US workers, a study from Quest Diagnostics found, increasing by 16% since 2014.

Major testing lab Quest Diagnostics says a small proportion of workforce tests nationally come back positive for marijuana or any other drugs, but the number has been growing in recent years.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Including job applicants and hired workers, the positive-test rate for marijuana was 2.8% last year, up from 2.4% in 2014, the Secaucus, New Jersey-based company said Thursday.

UnitedHealthcare this week named seven labs to its new Preferred Laboratory Network. They are AmeriPath/DermPath, a division of Quest Diagnostics; BioReference and its GeneDx lab; Invitae; Laboratory Corporation of America; Mayo Clinic Laboratories; and Quest. PLN's goal is threefold: to make healthcare affordable, improve outcomes, and improve the patient experience, UHC said in a statement. PLN launches on July 1, 2019. While UHC customers can choose a lab not in PLN, the price of services accessed through the network will be lower, UHC said, noting that pathology services for a biopsy in PLN would be $90 compared to $150 outside of PLN.

The number of people caught cheating on employer-required drug tests rose by 40% from 2017 to 2018, according to figures compiled by Quest Diagnostics.[CR-LF][CR-LF]"This is common," said Tim Terrill, the owner of ARCPoint Labs of Scottsdale - North.

The number of people caught cheating on employer-required drug tests rose by 40% from 2017 to 2018, according to figures compiled by Quest Diagnostics.

Hasbro, Twitter and Quest Diagnostics were among the best performers of the day. last year, they had the worst trading day ever. s&p 500 is up 17% this year

A simple test using a swab of cells from the inside of your cheek can dramatically improve your medical treatment. The test can predict whether a drug will help, if you need a different dosage, or if you are at risk of severe side effects.[CR-LF][CR-LF]This testing is called pharmacogenetics or pharmacogenomics. This means studying the interactions of drugs (pharma-) and an individual’s genes (genom-). Genes control how drugs are metabolized and may be different in different people. Treatment can be personalized, or individualized for some classes of drugs.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Several companies provide different panels for pharmacogenetic testing. Some are mostly focused on psychiatric drugs, like Myriad Genetics’ (MYGN: Nasdaq) pricey GeneSight test, at $2000. There are the big labs, like LabCorp (NYSE: LH), Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), Mayo Clinics, and smaller companies which focus only on pharmacogenomics, like Genelex, a private company. In choosing a lab, look at certification, the types of panels of testing that are offered (and whether they include the enzymes metabolizing the drugs you are taking), and the type of explanation they provide you and your physician.

New home sales, the Richmond Fed manufacturing survey, and the FHFA home price index data will surface. JetBlue (JBLU), Quest Diagnostics (DGX), Sherwin-Williams (SHW), Snap (SNAP), TD Ameritrade (AMTD), and Texas Instruments (TXN) are on the earnings schedule.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced today financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019.[CR-LF][CR-LF]"We're off to a good start in 2019, with solid volume growth from our expanded health plan access," said Steve Rusckowski, Chairman, President and CEO. "As we anticipated, volume accelerated through the quarter, and we look forward to continued progress as a member of UnitedHealthcare's Preferred Lab Network beginning July 1. We continue to drive productivity to address ongoing reimbursement pressure, and are well positioned to meet our financial commitments for the remainder of 2019."

Quest Diagnostics today reported revenues for its first quarter were up a fraction of 1 percent year over year.[CR-LF][CR-LF]For the three months ended March 31, total revenues inched up to $1.89 billion from $1.88 billion in Q1 2018, beating analysts' average estimate of $1.87 billion. Revenues from Diagnostic Information Services grew to $1.81 billion from $1.80 billion.[CR-LF][CR-LF]On a conference call following the release of the results, Quest President, CEO, and Chairman Steve Rusckowsi said that test volume grew almost 4 percent year over year. Key test growth drivers in the quarter included tuberculosis, Cardio IQ, drug monitoring, and hemapathology blood cancer testing, "all of which showed revenue growth" in Q1.

Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, launched three new sexually transmitted disease (STD) laboratory test packages that individuals can purchase online for some of the most prevalent STDs in the United States. The new STD test packages are the first to be offered directly by Quest Diagnostics or any other major national laboratory to allow individuals to purchase tests at their discretion. These new packages have been designed to meet the needs of individuals who want accurate basic or comprehensive STD testing.[CR-LF][CR-LF]The new services are designed to empower individuals to access STD screening when they are reluctant to engage their healthcare provider directly. Research by Quest Diagnostics shows that patients and healthcare providers often fail to discuss sexual behavior and STD risk. According to a survey commissioned by Quest, 51 percent of females age 18-24 years say they don't want to bring up for discussion the topics of sex or STDs with their clinicians and 49 percent claim their clinician has never asked if they want STD testing.

Shares of Quest Diagnostics (DGX - Get Report) climbed 7.4% to $91.50 Tuesday after the diagnostic testing company reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings.[CR-LF][CR-LF]The Secaucus, N.J.-based company reported net income of $164 million, or $1.20 a share, down from $177 million, or $1.52 a share, a year ago. Adjusted earnings came to $1.40 a share, surpassing analyst's forecasts of $1.36.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Revenue totaled $1.89 billion, up 0.4% from a year ago, and beat Wall Street's expectation of $1.87 billion. Cash provided by operations was $275 million, up 53.4% from 2018.

Quest Diagnostics (DGX) Q1 results: Revenues: $1,891M (+0.4%).[CR-LF][CR-LF]Net Income: $164M (-7.3%); Non-GAAP Net Income: $190M (-10.0%); EPS: $1.20 (-5.5%); Non-GAAP EPS: $1.40 (-7.9%); CF Ops: $275M (+52.8%).[CR-LF][CR-LF]2019 Guidance: Revenues: $7.6B - $7.75B (unch); EPS: >$5.16 (unch); Non-GAAP EPS: >$6.40 (unch); CF Ops: ~$1.3B (unch).[CR-LF][CR-LF]The consensus Revenue and GAAP EPS estimate was $1.87B and $1.38, respectively.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX): Q1 Non-GAAP EPS of $1.40 beats by $0.02; GAAP EPS of $1.20. Revenue of $1.89B (+0.5% Y/Y) beats by $20M.

Tuesday morning's results are the first Quest has shared since getting back into the UnitedHealth network at the start of the year. The agreement with UnitedHealth has given Quest access to more patient lives than at any time in the past decade. Accordingly, organic requisition volume growth was up 2.4%, compared to 1.1% in the fourth quarter of 2018, and would have been around 3% if headwinds including a slightly shorter quarter were excluded.

Accurate estimates of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) prevalence are lacking, particularly the subset of patients with advanced fibrosis. We aim to evaluate prevalence and predictors of advanced fibrosis among patients with probable NASH using national clinical laboratory data. Clinical laboratory data from October 1, 2017-September 30, 2018 were collected using Quest Diagnostics database, which tests ∼30% of U.S. adults annually. Adults with negative hepatitis B surface antigen, negative hepatitis C antibody, and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (>25 U/L women, >35 U/L men) were evaluated for prevalence of ≥F 3 fibrosis using fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4)>2.67.

Women's healthcare is historically no fun. I mean, the process of a pap smear speaks for itself. Thankfully, it seems many women feel this way, and some particularly driven women decided to do something about it.[CR-LF][CR-LF]A handful of companies took the most inconvenient and awkward aspects of women's health — like a trip to the gynecologist just for a prescription refill, or checking out at CVS with condoms — and made them much easier.[CR-LF][CR-LF]Modern Fertility emphasizes the convenience and price tag of its products -- no commute or clinic visit, and no sticker shock. You can take your test at home, or opt to take it at a Quest Diagnostics lab if there's one near you.

In the United States, more than 178 million Americans receive insurance coverage through an employer; of these, approximately 60% have insurance from a self-insured employer. Healthcare costs, both medical and pharmacy, for employers and employees continue to increase at a 6% predicted rate in 2019, on top of the 5 to 6 percent annual increases observed since 2014. The increase in healthcare spending has been directly attributed to increased prices for healthcare services, while utilization has remained somewhat consistent. Today we’re speaking with Dr Steven Goldberg, the vice president of medical affairs, population health, and chief health officer at Quest Diagnostics. He is also a co-author of a recent peer-reviewed case study that analyzed a benefits and wellness program designed by a self-insured employer.

More affordable procedure costs, shorter wait times, higher quality – everyone wants these things from their health care experience. UnitedHealthcare’s Triple Aim focus – improving health care affordability, outcomes and the patient experience – is now adding more value for lab services. Launching on July 1, 2019, UnitedHealthcare has selected the following labs to participate in its PLN: AmeriPath/DermPath, BioReference, GeneDx, Invitae, LabCorp, Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Quest Diagnostics. These labs were selected based on a rigorous quality review process.

Announcement of Periodic Review: Moody's announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated

In 2015, Quest Diagnostics—which has a self-insured employee benefits team—set out on a new path to try to control healthcare costs while maintaining program quality and promoting population health for its employees.[CR-LF][CR-LF]After almost four years, the results of Quest’s group health insurance program were reported in Population Health Management, outlining the collaboration with a health plan and pharmacy benefits manager to practice the “triple aim” of improving the patient healthcare experience, boosting population health and reducing per capita healthcare spending.[CR-LF][CR-LF]The program had a big impact, even in year one. Through proactive changes, physician executive leadership, health plan collaboration, disease-specific population health initiatives and plan design, Quest’s annual healthcare costs steadily improved.

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, today announced that it was selected by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers of 2019. [CR-LF][CR-LF]Quest was among one of only fifteen companies in the Health Care Equipment and Services category to attain the designation.[CR-LF][CR-LF]"Our vision of empowering better health with diagnostic insights is built on the diverse talents of our 46,000 employees, said Steve Rusckowski, Chairman, President and CEO. "It's nice to see that for the third straight year the steps we are taking to create an inspiring workplace are being noticed. Led by our people, the Quest brand is inspiring better health outcomes."

As Massachusetts health care becomes increasingly dominated by large health systems, more than a dozen community hospitals are banding together in a new partnership. Under the arrangement, called the Massachusetts Value Alliance, hospitals are working together to slash costs by buying some supplies and services together. By teaming up, they have greater leverage in negotiating prices with vendors that sell equipment, software, and other things hospitals need. Several of the hospitals have signed a contract with Quest Diagnostics, a company that processes blood tests. The arrangement allowed the hospitals to lower their costs by contracting together — South Shore said it is saving more than $100,000 a year — while Quest gained a larger customer with more tests to process. Previously, the hospitals each had separate contracts for lab work.

Quest Diagnostics has launched three new test kits for sexually transmitted diseases that consumers can order and purchase online directly, within the privacy of their own home. Research has shown that many people and some providers are reluctant to discuss STD screening and disease risks. Quest aims to circumvent this through its QuestDirect program, with its first at-home tests covering the most prevalent STDs in the U.S.—including HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomonas—and starting at $49 for an individual test. Completing the tests, however, still requires walking in to one of Quest’s patient service centers, including some in grocery stores and retail locations. The kits are now available in the continental U.S., with results available online typically within one week, the company said.

Office happy hours are getting a twist in states where recreational weed is legal, with employees celebrating the end of the workweek by lighting up or snacking on edibles. Most of these companies are in the cannabis business and have offices in pot-friendly states such as Colorado, California, and Oregon (recreational marijuana is legal in 10 states and Washington, DC).According to a recent survey by Drugabuse.com, one in five respondents said they've used marijuana recreationally in their place of work during work hours. A recent report by the clinical laboratory Quest Diagnostics found the number of US workers and job applicants testing positive for drugs has hit a 14-year high, with marijuana-positive tests leading the way.

The Coast Guard has a message for mariners about to smoke a joint or use CBD (cannabidiol) oil: Don’t risk your job over it — no matter where you live. The growing number of states where some form of marijuana is legal prompted the agency to issue a bulletin this week reminding everyone that marijuana is still illegal under federal law. Ten states and the District of Columbia have approved recreational marijuana for adults, and more than half of all states have OK’d medical marijuana. Marijuana topped the list of most commonly detected illicit substances among U.S. workers, a recent analysis by Quest Diagnostics shows.

With the increased legalization of marijuana, many businesses and politicians are reconsidering workplace drug testing. Though drug testing likely won't disappear forever, experts predict the scope of testing will decrease — and they say the type of testing should change. Earlier this month, a report by clinical laboratory Quest Diagnostics found the number of US workers and job applicants testing positive for drugs hit a 14-year high, with marijuana positivity leading the way.

The rate of positive drug tests for illicit substances among U.S. workers in 2018 reached a 14-year peak, with marijuana playing a significant role, according to the annual Drug Testing Index from lab services provider Quest Diagnostics. Researchers analyzed the results of more than 9 million drug tests. They found that 4.4% of the combined U.S. workforce (both the general workforce and employees who undergo federally mandated drug testing) tested positive – up from 4.2% in 2017 and 2016 and the highest since 2004, when the rate was 4.5%.

The rate of positive drug tests for illicit substances among U.S. workers in 2018 reached a 14-year peak, with marijuana playing a significant role, according to the annual Drug Testing Index from lab services provider Quest Diagnostics. Researchers analyzed the results of more than 9 million drug tests. They found that 4.4% of the combined U.S. workforce (both the general workforce and employees who undergo federally mandated drug testing) tested positive – up from 4.2% in 2017 and 2016 and the highest since 2004, when the rate was 4.5%.

In the latest look at stocks ordered by largest market capitalization, Russell 3000 component EXACT Sciences Corp. was identified as having a larger market cap than the smaller end of the S&P 500, for example Quest Diagnostics, Inc..

The Healthcare Technology Report is pleased to announce the Top 50 Healthcare Technology CEOs of 2019. An extensive process was run to evaluate the hundreds of CEOs that lead exemplary organizations in the fields of medical devices, biotech, healthcare analytics, healthcare software and other related areas. We gathered data on each nominee’s professional background and assessed them across several key areas including breadth of leadership experience in the healthcare technology industry, level of expertise and domain knowledge in their particular field, depth of their executive team’s experience, and consistency of organizational performance. Steve Rusckowski is Chairman, President and CEO of Quest Diagnostics. He joined the Company as President and CEO in 2012. Under his leadership, Quest has refocused on its core diagnostic information services business, sold non-core assets, delivered disciplined deployment, including share repurchases and acquisitions, and simplified its organizational structure to better serve customers by removing complexity, speeding decision making and empowering employees. Previously, Stephen was CEO of Philips Healthcare, which became the largest unit of Royal Philips Electronics under his leadership. He joined Philips in 2001 when it acquired the Healthcare Solutions Group he was leading at Hewlett-Packard/Agilent Technologies.

Despite what crime shows depict, New York is less addicted to illegal substances than the other states except for one -- heroin. This is according to the latest data from the Drug Testing Index of Quest Diagnostics. The laboratory obtained the information from analyzing thousands of drug test results of the U.S. workforce from 2007 to 2018.

Workers tested positive for drugs in the workplace at the highest rate in 14 years in 2018, with marijuana use on the rise and opiate use declining, a new study found. An analysis by Quest Diagnostics found drug positivity rates increased nearly five percent in urine drug tests in 2018 and are now more than 25 percent higher than the 30-year low of 3.5 percent recorded between 2010 and 2012.

One of the arguments for legalization of marijuana is that it would help to ease the opiate epidemic, as marijuana could possibly alleviate opiate withdrawal symptoms and mitigate pain. Some states have approved medical marijuana to treat opiate addiction. The study also found that marijuana use did not help to further alleviate pain. Another important data point comes from Quest Diagnostics, which provides testing services. Workplace testing results showed a 5% increase (2018/2012) in marijuana use in safety-sensitive workers and a related rise in the use of opiate painkillers, while the rate of positive opiate results for the broader workforce fell.

The Southern Women's Show has drawn crowds to Raleigh for 34 years, and Sunday's edition continued that tradition. The organization says the free screenings they offer are brief, but can reveal important information. The organization's tests include screenings for five risk factors associated with heart disease. "We get it done in about 15 minutes and we can tell them 'Ok, your blood pressure is this and your cholesterol is this, and we suggest that you go to the doctor,'" said Rosie Barretta of Quest Diagnostics.

It's been a pretty incredible ride for the marijuana movement over the past couple of years. After spending decades as a taboo topic that lawmakers almost always swept under the rug, cannabis has now become a mainstream issue. It's been legalized for adult consumption in Canada, has been given the green light in some medical capacity in more than 40 countries around the world, and has more support in the U.S. than at any point over the past 50 years, according to polling by Gallup. But there are some folks who might question that lawmakers are moving too far, too fast when it comes to the marijuana industry.his past week, Quest Diagnostics, a leading diagnostic testing firm, and the company responsible for testing millions of Americans a year in the workplace for illicit substances, released its latest analysis , known as the Drug Testing Index, on workplace drug usage.

In an older study conducted for news site KOAT7, microbiologist John Golobic of Quest Diagnostics randomly swabbed the beards of his test subjects and found evidence of gut bacteria commonly found in faeces. He added that whilst the beard bacteria wasn’t likely to cause illness, it was still “a little concerning”.

Workforce drug use continues to rise with positive drug tests hitting a 14-year high, according to new analysis from Quest Diagnostics. The diagnostic information services company released its report which details how rapid legalization efforts are impacting positivity rates. “Our in-depth analysis shows that marijuana is not only present in our workforce, but use continues to increase,” said Barry Sample, PhD, senior director, science and technology, Quest Diagnostics.

As questions of how and when adult-use marijuana will be legalized hang in the air in the Garden State, a new report finds that workforce drug positivity testing hit a 14-year high in 2018—with cannabis coming up as still the most commonly detected substance. Despite declines in affirmative results for opiates, oxycodones, heroin and cocaine, The Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index released Thursday at the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association in Chicago shows an increase in overall positivity results, results for the presence of marijuana, and for post-accident positivity testing results.

The U.S. rate of workforce drug positivity hit a 14-year high in 2018, according to a new analysis released April 11 by Quest Diagnostics. The company reported that positivity rates in the combined U.S. workforce increased nearly 5 percent in urine drug tests (4.2 percent in 2017 versus 4.4 percent in 2018), climbing to the highest level since 2004's 4.5 percent. And the rates are now more than 25 percent higher than the 30-year low of 3.5 percent recorded between 2010 and 2012.

Marijuana use is on the rise among US workers, a study from Quest Diagnostics found, increasing by 16% since 2014.

When Rye Electric was founded in Orange County five years ago, it screened all prospective workers for drugs. If a test showed traces of cannabis, the applicant was nixed. But the fast-growing construction company, which has a millennial-heavy workforce, has since adapted to the times. “We still do the tests,” Chief Executive Chris Golden said, “but we choose to look the other way on marijuana.” New Jersey-based Quest Diagnostics, compiling data on 10 million tests a year, reports an increase in workers testing positive for pot, especially in states where recreational use is legal.

Our first job as parents is to keep our children alive and safe. We readily teach them to keep fingers out of electrical sockets and to look both ways before crossing. But when it comes to providing kids with some basic information about sexual health, many parents feel hesitant and embarrassed. As a result, they may avoid the subject entirely. Parents aren’t the only ones who have trouble discussing sex with youngsters, revealed a survey conducted in 2017 by Quest Diagnostics. Doctors aren’t doing so well discussing sexual health with young patients either.