Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) identifies additional genetic causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) beyond those identified through targeted gene sequencing approaches, according to a study … [Read more...]
SPECIAL FOCUS
Noninvasive Gene Expression Test for Melanoma Cuts Costs
August 13, 2018
The noninvasive pigmented lesion assay (PLA; DermTech) reduces costs compared to the current standard of care for diagnostic workup of pigmented skin lesions suggestive of melanoma, according to a … [Read more...]
PRECISION MEDICINE
Next-Gen Sequencing Has Significant Utility for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
August 6, 2018
Next-generation sequencing improves definitive diagnoses for children with drug-resistant epilepsy, according to a pilot study published online June 22 in CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. … [Read more...]
PRECISION MEDICINE
General Population Has Interest in Genetic Testing for Skin Cancer Risk
August 1, 2018
There is moderately high interest and follow through among the general population for genetic testing to determine melanoma skin cancer risk, according to a study published in JAMA Dermatology. … [Read more...]
PUBLIC HEALTH
Procalcitonin Results Fail to Guide Lower Antibiotic Use
August 1, 2018
Procalcitonin assays results did not help emergency department and hospital-based clinicians prescribe fewer antibiotics for patients presenting with suspected lower respiratory tract infection, … [Read more...]
GUIDELINES AT A GLANCE
FDA Recommends Pooled of Blood Testing for Zika Virus
August 1, 2018
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised recommendations for testing donated blood for Zika virus. The agency will now allow pooled testing of blood donations, rather than universal nucleic … [Read more...]
INNOVATION
Urinary cfDNA Analysis Valuable for Urinary Tract Infections
July 30, 2018
Sequencing of urinary cell-free DNA (cfDNA) offers a comprehensive examination of bacterial and viral infections of the urinary tract and could be a valuable diagnostic tool for both kidney transplant … [Read more...]
PAMA
PAMA Unlocks Golden Age for Innovative Diagnostics
July 30, 2018
By Chance Scott bio The publication of the 2018 Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) in January saw a long and heated debate within the lab community come to fruition. When Congress … [Read more...]
PUBLIC HEALTH
HIV Testing Opportunities Missed For High-Risk Patients
July 23, 2018
There are many missed opportunities for testing and diagnosis of HIV among high-risk individuals seen in clinical settings, according to a research letter published June 26 in the Journal of the … [Read more...]
CO-ORDINATING DATA
Laboratory Information Systems (LIS): What You Need To Know To Get Paid
July 23, 2018
By Sean McSweeney bio Today, laboratory billing claims require more and more data to successfully get paid. One of the biggest reasons your claims may be getting denied is because you're … [Read more...]
