RE: Justification of Ventana Benchmark

From:"LaFriniere, Mike"

Cathy,

Yes you are correct, however, remember a lab can put two to three sections
of the same patient on one slide with the control, hence minimizing the cost
immensely!!

Regards..

Michael LaFriniere

-----Original Message-----
From: Locallo, Catherine [mailto:CLocallo@childrensmemorial.org]
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2002 8:59 AM
To: 'LaFriniere, Mike '; ''Morken, Tim' '; 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
'
Subject: RE: Justification of Ventana Benchmark


Mike,

Since the cost per slide varies so much from lab to lab depending on the
workload you are doing, each lab must look at their costs in relationship to
their operating budget.  When it is costing a lab between $20-26 per slide
and the lab normally runs three to five slides a case, one must look at the
reimbursement and see if the charge is covering your cost.  Also, even
though the instrument is somewhat "walk away", the tech still need to
identify the location of the slides on the instrument create bar codes, and
other tasks to get the instrument ready, you need to add in those costs
also. 

For large labs that are getting a break from Ventana because they run so
many slides, each place has to work up there costs to reimbursement.

Cathy Locallo
Director Anatomic Path
Children's Memorial
Chicago, IL   

-----Original Message-----
From: LaFriniere, Mike
To: 'Morken, Tim'; histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Sent: 12/27/02 1:41 PM
Subject: RE: Justification of  Ventana Benchmark

Tim,

I have 4 units that work excellent. Ventana will supply you with a (per
slide) cost analysis upon request. They have a great work sheet for the
analysis and they fill in most of the data for you! Each lab has
different
prices, dependant on your volume. For example our lab performs 100-150
immuno stains a day, I may obtain a price for approx. $9.00-18.00 each
(dependant on the antibody cost), where as a lab performing 10-20 slides
a
day may obtain a price for $15-26.00 per slide. Also check into the
lease
options to have the instrument cost incorporated into your cost per
slide,
this is a great plan so that you don't have to us capital funds upfront.

Regards,

Michael LaFriniere PA,HT(ASCP)
Pathology Department Manager
Memorial Hospital
Chattanooga TN
423-495-6117

-----Original Message-----
From: Morken, Tim [mailto:tim9@cdc.gov]
Sent: Friday, December 27, 2002 2:20 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: Justification of Ventana Benchmark


Jan, I believe you when you say it is a good instrument and you get good
results, but again, how did you justify this particular instrument when
competing instruments are just as good, fast and easy to use (at least
from
my own experience), but cost much less, both to buy and to operate?
Again,
I'm not trying to put you on the spot, I'm just curious how the
justification was done.

Tim Morken
Atlanta.

-----Original Message-----
From: Janice A Mahoney [mailto:jmahoney@alegent.org]
Sent: Friday, December 27, 2002 2:06 PM
To: tim9@cdc.gov; APROCTOR.CMHMAIL.MAILBOX@northeastmedical.org;
histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: RE: Ventana Benchmark


The quality. reproducibility, and ease of operation are excellent.  It
is truly a "walk-away" instrument.  The ability to complete staining
runs in several hours and to operate overnight make up for the limited
number of slides tit holds.  We actually have several modules and the
special stainer.  The Pathologists are very happy with the results.  I
would probably have an uprising in the lab if we tried to replace it
with something else. 
You are right.   It does cost more but we still make money doing IHC.  
   I have also found the Ventana support to be excellent.
Jan Mahoney
Omaha NE
GO HUSKERS !!

>>> "Morken, Tim"  12/27/2002 12:07:37 PM >>>
I am curious to know how the cost of a Benchmark is justified when it
is
twice the price and does less than half the number of slides of
competing
units, and (apparently) requires the use of  proprietary reagents that
cost
more? We have looked at the Ventana units before but always went in
other
directions (fast!) after quotes were given.

Tim Morken
Atlana

-----Original Message-----
From: Janice A Mahoney [mailto:jmahoney@alegent.org] 
Sent: Friday, December 27, 2002 12:36 PM
To: APROCTOR.CMHMAIL.MAILBOX@northeastmedical.org;
histonet@pathology.swmed.edu 
Subject: Re: Ventana Benchmark


It is wonderful.  We love it.
Jan Mahoney 
Omaha NE

>>> Alisha Proctor 
12/27/2002 11:12:11 AM >>>
Our lab director is interested in purchasing the Ventana Benchmark.
Does
anyone have an opinion about it?



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