Academic-industry partnership advancing cannabis science: The Complementary Care Practice-Based Research Network

Posted on May 24, 2023 By LabLynx Journal articles

In this 2022 paper published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Ennis et al. discuss the development of a practice-based research network in order to improve the state of understanding of Cannabis science in the state of Florida, as well as promote future clinical research related to the plant. The authors developed this research network after noting a dearth of such medical marijuana-focused research networks in the state. After providing an introduction, they walk through the steps that led to their Complementary Care Practice-Based Research Network (CC-PBRN), including the methods used in producing usable, de-identified data for research. The authors then summarize the results and address three major challenges in negotiating the "differing foci of academic and business organizations" in developing the network. After noting the strengths and limitations of their network, they conclude that "[t]he data generated by the CC-PBRN can be used to inform and guide patient-centered care, clinical decision-making, and health policy decisions" for medical marijuana patients in Florida.

Identifying risk management challenges in laboratories

Posted on May 16, 2023 By LabLynx Journal articles

In this 2023 paper published in the journal Accreditation and Quality Assurance, Tziakou et al. examine the state of risk management as it applies to the modern laboratory environment, tapping into numerous International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards and a review of the literature on the subject. After a brief introduction, the authors discuss the risk management process and risk assessment techniques for organizations of all types. They then take a deep dive into how those techniques apply to the laboratory environment at every step of the lab's workflow, from sample and reagent management to reporting and digitalization of results. They conclude that given the major sources of risk they identified in the lab, "the laboratory can reduce the risks to a tolerable level when clear procedures, continuous supervision, inspections, timely training and continuous education of its staff, and upgrades of its equipment with systems automation are maintained." They add that "the implementation of risk-based thinking can positively affect the outcome of regular assessments in order to explore opportunities for increasing the effectiveness of the [quality management system] and preventing further negative effects."