While clinicians and several professional recognize that routine laboratory testing is overused in the inpatient setting, attitudes towards testing necessity differ by health care provider type, … [Read more...]
UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT
Attitude Toward Inpatient Testing Frequency Varies By Provider Type
October 20, 2017
TESTING TRENDS
Eliminating Creatine Kinase–Myocardial Band Testing Saves Money, Improves Quality
October 20, 2017
Creatine kinase–myocardial band (CK-MB) testing provides no incremental value to patient care, and if hospitals and emergency rooms would eliminate its use for evaluating suspected acute coronary … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Future of Traditional Rapid Flu Tests in Doubt as New Review Highlights Improved Performance of New Testing Technologies
October 20, 2017
With the start of the 2017-2018 flu season approaching, and the upcoming deadline for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) new minimum performance requirements, there is renewed interest in … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Chlamydia Testing Falls in Young Women, Following Change in Cervical Cancer Guidelines; Simultaneous Overtesting of Males Seen
October 10, 2017
Recent cervical cancer screening guideline changes are associated with reduced chlamydia testing, particularly among women aged 15 to 19 years, who are at high risk for chlamydia infection, if … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Annual TB Testing of Health Care Workers Not Cost Effective
September 26, 2017
Routine annual tuberculosis (TB) screening of health care workers is no longer cost effective, according to a study published May 17 in BMC Medicine. The incidence of TB is at an all-time low in the … [Read more...]
Two App Marketplaces Ramping Up Consumer Genomics Offerings
September 6, 2017
Two personal genome app marketplaces—Sequencing.com (San Francisco, Calif.) and Helix (San Carlos, Calif.)—are now up and running offering consumers a combined total of 55 products for purchase. While … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Celebrity Power to Drive Testing Extends Beyond ‘Angelina Jolie Effect’
September 4, 2017
The power of celebrity impacts health decisions and drives testing decisions beyond the "Angelina Jolie effect." A study published in the July issue of Prevention Science demonstrates the "Charlie … [Read more...]
EMERGING TESTS
IgE Testing May Be Underused in Dermatology
August 17, 2017
Allergists have long used immunoglobulin E quantitative assaying of allergens (IgEQAA) to determine reactivates for allergies associated with a runny nose and asthma. However, the test is not widely … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Utility of Whole-Genome Sequencing in Primary Care Uncertain
August 17, 2017
Adding whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to standardized family history assessment of healthy patients in the primary care setting uncovers new molecular findings, although the findings prompt additional … [Read more...]
INDUSTRY TRENDS
Lab-Pharmacy Partnerships Expand Retail Lab Testing Trend
August 17, 2017
Another undeniable sign that commercialization of health care is making meaningful inroads on Main Street with the late June partnership announcement between the laboratory chain Quest Diagnostics … [Read more...]
