Point-of-care (POC) HbA1c measurements show a high level of agreement with central laboratory test in the outpatient setting, according to a small study published Jan. 18 in the Journal of Clinical … [Read more...]
INDUSTRY TRENDS
Point-of-Care PCR Tests Better Diagnosis, Rx for Kids’ Sore Throats
February 5, 2019
Given we are still in the midst of cold and flu season, a new study highlights the benefit of point-of-care (POC) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing among pediatric patients presenting to the … [Read more...]
PRECISION MEDICINE
Newborn Sequencing Delivers Some Unanticipated Findings
January 22, 2019
Newborn genomic sequencing (NGS) can identify risk for a wide range of disorders that otherwise may not be detected, even in seemingly healthy babies, according to a study published Jan. 3 in the … [Read more...]
THE BUSINESS OF TESTING
Payer Medical Policies Can Promote Effective Use of Comprehensive Sequencing In Community Oncology Setting
January 22, 2019
Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) identifies clinically relevant genomic alterations that can be used to inform treatment decisions in community-based oncology practices that benefit both patients … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Zika Blood Screening Not Cost-Effective, Study Finds
January 22, 2019
Screening blood donors for Zika virus is not cost-effective in the United States or Puerto Rico, according to a study published Jan. 8 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Despite U.S. Food and Drug … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Low-Value, Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring is Common
January 21, 2019
A substantial percentage of patients with type 2 diabetes may be inappropriately self-monitoring blood glucose, according to a research letter published Dec. 10 in JAMA Internal Medicine. Despite … [Read more...]
GUIDELINES
Pre-Op Urine Screening Not Necessary
December 31, 2018
Routine preoperative urine screening offers no clinical benefit, according to a large study published Dec. 12 in JAMA Surgery. Treating asymptomatic bacteriuria detected by screening does not cut the … [Read more...]
GUIDELINES
Ideal Age of Last Cervical Cancer Screening Depends on Test Type
November 26, 2018
With the adoption of cotesting—human papillomavirus (HPV) plus Pap cytology—cervical cancer screening methodology has focused primarily on the preferred frequency of combined testing. However, a new … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
MSSA Screening Program Cuts Infections in NICUs
November 26, 2018
An active methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) screening and decolonization program in the neonatal intensive care (NICU) unit can lead to a sustained reduction in the incidence of clinical S. … [Read more...]
TESTING STRATEGY
Penicillin Allergy Testing Underused, Could Lead to Cost Savings
November 26, 2018
Once a patient is labeled as having a penicillin allergy, it is rarely revisited. The label sticks and increases the patient's risk of receiving subsequent suboptimal, alternative antibiotic therapy, … [Read more...]
