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Hemex Labs History
In 1982, a group of medical technologists met to form a specialty medical laboratory to test for bleeding and clotting disorders. The new laboratory was named ARIZONA COAGULATION CONSULTANTS, Inc. (ACC). The group included the principals, Lois and David Berg, and other healthcare professionals. The laboratory was incorporated and started operations in July of 1983. The initial philosophy of ACC was to serve as a 24 hour STAT coagulation testing facility in Phoenix, as there was no such facility in the metro Phoenix area. This still holds true today.In order to expand beyond the southwest, the company developed a national marketing campaign, which included a new name: HEMEX Laboratories. HEMEX is derived from HEMostasis EXpertise. Also included in our marketing campaign was our new phone number (800) 999-CLOT and our slogan “Specialists in Solving Blood Curdling Mysteries”. Our first national advertisement appeared in the February, 1989 issue of the journal BLOOD.
Our emphasis has always been on education. Through education of physicians, the HYPERCOAG panel became one of the major panels used to determine why a patient developed a blood clot. This panel continues to evolve today as we learn about new conditions and deficiencies that promote a prethrombotic state.
Additionally, we offer consultation on ordering of tests and what the results mean to the clinician. In order to stay current with clinical information, our staff attend most of the coagulation meetings from ISTH, to ASH, to university and local presentations each year. We also started exhibiting at these national meetings as well as advertising in major journals. Our primary ad is on the back cover of BLOOD every quarter. In 1991, Dr. Alexander Duncan, pathologist and head of the hematology, coagulation and blood bank laboratories at Emory University in Atlanta became our primary coagulation consultant. Dr. Duncan is one of the international leaders in coagulation. These activities have made us one of the national leaders in coagulation testing. In 1992, the physical facilities limited our ability to expand services and laboratory space, which necessitated a move. A 10,000 sq. ft. building that met our needs became available. We moved into 5000 sq. ft. of the building in October of 1992. Since then, we have expanded twice, to where we now occupy 8000 sq. ft. of our building.
Our latest expansion in January, 1997 doubled the square footage of the laboratory area and made space for a Flow Cytometry department, making possible specialized platelet studies in flow cytometry. In April of the same year, Dr. Harold Harrison, Director of Genzyme Laboratories in Phoenix, and his staff became available when the Phoenix division laboratory was closed by the parent company, and HEMEX acquired the capability of performing immunophenotyping testing. We are also adding a molecular biology lab to complete the special capabilities of HEMEX Laboratories. As of September, 1997, we started reporting test results from the flow laboratory including: Leukemias/Lymphomas, T-Cell Subsets, Immunodeficiency work ups, Reticulated Platelets, Platelet Surface Markers and Platelet Activation Markers. HEMostasis and HEMatology EXpertise.
Due to our specialized nature, we have performed research testing, value assignments, 510K studies, IND (Investigational New Drug) studies and PMAs for many years. One IND study involved testing in six sites around the country. Arizona Heart Institute was one of the patient sites for which we performed the testing. After discussions with the drug company, we were able to set up a second testing site for them in New Orleans. We have kept this laboratory open as a STAT lab for platelet studies and now receive approximately 10% of our work from Louisiana.
In addition to control value assignment and reagent development for coagulation companies, we have been involved with several companies as alpha and beta sites for new instrument development, including the Behring BFA, BCT and BCS instruments.
Research testing has led to many abstract publications, journal articles and oral presentations. Through HEMEX research, we have developed several new assays and test systems as well as new medical theory regarding immune activation of the coagulation system (ISAC Model). This exciting research has produced 200+ “Miracle Babies” from women who had been previously infertile and success rates near 80% in infertility practices. This has led to several more publications, as well as new ideas about ‘Chronic Fatigue Syndrome’ (CFIDS), ‘Fibromyalgia’ (FM), ‘Osteonecrosis’ and specific new testing for infertility, migraines, CFIDS, FM, arthritis and MS patients. Visit our web site www.hemex.com for information regarding CFIDS & FM testing using the ISAC Panel along with other technical information.
Our motto is “Quality Results in 23 Hours .” This concept of fast turn around time from day one has earned HEMEX an excellent reputation of quality (“a passion for patient care and accuracy”). Value added services include consultations on testing, results and pathology interpretations when requested. Our customers know that they can call day or night and talk to a knowledgeable expert about a case. This same operating philosophy holds true for the addition of our new Special Hematology department. Someone is always on call for that emergency patient. We also publish “Coag Capsules” and “Blood Lines”, individual education pieces to aid in education about new tests and assays and their clinical usefulness.
See for yourself what others say about HEMEX: Quality Results in 23 Hours.