D-dimer (DD) testing is still underutilized for the assessment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), according to a study published in the July issue of the Annals of Vascular Surgery. Further, DD testing … [Read more...]
UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT
Blood Test Can Cut Unnecessary Ultrasounds to Rule Out Blood Clots
October 1, 2018
TESTING TRENDS
Drug Testing Remains Low Among Patients on Long-Term Opioids
October 1, 2018
A more universal approach to administering and responding to urine drug testing is needed, according to a study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Only one in five patients receiving long-term … [Read more...]
TESTING STRATEGY
Guidelines at a Glance
September 28, 2018
ASCO Endorses CAP's Guidelines for HPV Testing in Head and Neck Carcinomas The American Society of Clinical Oncology has endorsed the clinical guidelines developed by the College of American … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
HBA1c Blood Test May ID Gestational Diabetes Risk in First Trimester
August 31, 2018
First trimester HbA1c may aid in early identification of at women at risk of gestational diabetes (GD), according to a study published in Scientific Reports. Such early screening could allow for … [Read more...]
PUBLIC HEALTH
Mailed Kits Can Up Colorectal Screening at Community Health Clinics
August 28, 2018
Mailed fecal immunochemical test kits (FIT) and outreach can raise rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among low-income patients seen at community clinics, according to a study published Aug. 6 … [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...]
TESTING TRENDS
Early Lactate Tests Impactful, But Often Not Performed With Sepsis
July 16, 2018
Early lactate measurements appear to improve results for patients with sepsis, but initial and repeat serum lactate levels are frequently not drawn in the recommended six-hour window, according to a … [Read more...]
TESTING STRATEGY
Single-Sample Confirmatory Test Ok for Diabetes Diagnosis
June 28, 2018
A single blood sample can be used to test for both fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in order to identify undiagnosed diabetes in the population, according to a study published in the … [Read more...]
UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT
Blood Cultures for Cellulitis Often Needlessly Ordered
June 18, 2018
Despite existing recommendations, blood culture is overused in patients with suspected, uncomplicated cellulitis, according to a research letter published April 2 in JAMA Internal … [Read more...]
