Trends and Technology: Spring 2005

ONLINE With this issue of Trends and Technology, I decided to break with tradition – the tradition of not reviewing manufacturers' Web sites. I did not want to create the illusion of favoritism or persuasion by featuring a clinical diagnostics Web site, but after so many years of reviewing other types of sites – governmental agencies, personal lab-related Web sites, some association sites of interest, quality-related sites – I began to wonder: why not? As always, I welcome reader input about sites that may be helpful – or not so helpful – to review for other readers (send your ideas to clstt{at}aol.com). This time, I visited the site of Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics (www.orthoclincal.com), a subdivision of Johnson & Johnson, and found that when I answered the Web survey, I got a timely response to my query, which led to me look at the site from the standpoint of a laboratory scientist.

I have to say that helpfulness is a hallmark of the Ortho-Clinical site. All of its major analyzers and other product lines are clearly labeled as links to the left on the homepage. The information under “Contact Us” is extensive and inviting, and not just an email address that is often found online. If you want to contact these folks, they make it easy. The homepage also has links to technical support (including holiday photos of these people, putting faces to the voices on the phone) and technical documentation, which brought up 123 “Instructions for Use” documents, down to the…