New Recommendations Simplify Testing for Chronic Kidney Disease In late February, The National Kidney Foundation, the American Society for Clinical Pathology, and leading laboratories and clinical … [Read more...]
GENETIC TESTING
Racial Disparities in Access Reduce Utility of Genetic Testing
March 27, 2018
Underrepresented minorities (URM) are less likely to receive a diagnosis from genetic testing for cardiomyopathy and are more likely to receive inconclusive testing results, compared to whites … [Read more...]
GUIDELINES
Even a Single PSA Screening Test Does Not Cut Mortality
March 27, 2018
Sindings from the latest large randomized controlled study do not support use of even a single prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer screening. The U.K. study, published March 6 in … [Read more...]
PUBLIC HEALTH
Mass. Settlement Could Speed HCV Testing For Prisoners Nationally
March 27, 2018
In early March, the Massachusetts Department of Correction reached a settlement with prisoners' rights groups over its medical treatment of prison inmates infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The … [Read more...]
UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT
Procalcitonin Testing Improves Antibiotic Stewardship
March 27, 2018
Using procalcitonin testing results to guide antibiotic decisionmaking is associated with lower rates of antibiotic use, fewer antibiotic-related adverse effects, and improved overall survival, … [Read more...]
EMERGING TESTS
FDA Set Record in 2017 for Targeted Therapy Approvals
March 12, 2018
For the he fourth consecutive year, targeted therapies accounted for more than 20 percent of all new drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to the Personalized … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Speed Record Set for Whole-Genome Sequencing
March 12, 2018
Stephen Kingsmore, M.D., D.Sc., and his team at Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine (San Diego) were awarded the Guinness World Records title for fastest genetic diagnosis on Feb. 3 with a … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Molecular Testing Increasingly Adopted for Skin Cancer Diagnosis
March 5, 2018
Dermatopathologists are increasingly using molecular testing for diagnosis of skin cancer samples. Yet, this adoption remains more concentrated in academic medical centers and high-volume clinical … [Read more...]
GUIDELINES
New Guidance on the Use of Lab Testing to Monitor Pain Management Patients
February 2, 2018
The American Association of Clinical Chemistry released the practice guideline, "Using Clinical Laboratory Tests to Monitor Drug Therapy in Pain Management Patients," in the January issue of … [Read more...]
INDUSTRY TRENDS
Internet-Based Testing for STIs Increase Uptake
February 2, 2018
Providing internet-based testing for sexually transmitted infections (e-STI testing) could increase the number of people being tested for syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea, including among … [Read more...]
