Appropriate use of testing is becoming a greater challenge, given the growing number of available diagnostic tests and their increasing complexity. While unnecessary or inappropriate testing can lead … [Read more...]
PUBLIC HEALTH
Partnerships, IT Solutions Improve Infectious Disease Diagnostic Stewardship
June 10, 2019
EMERGING TESTS
Improved Accuracy of Point-of-Care HbA1c Tests May Expand Access to Testing
May 28, 2019
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration-cleared POC Afinion HbA1c Dx test (Alere Technologies a subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories) is accurate and precise for diagnosing diabetes using both fingerstick … [Read more...]
COMPLIANCE PLANS
OIG Monthly Work Plan Review: May 2019
May 23, 2019
Of the three new items in this month's OIG Work Plan items, one may have implications for some labs. Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment at Health Centers Issue: Medication-assisted … [Read more...]
INNOVATION
Rapid, Genomic-Based Surveillance IDs Aids Hospital Infection Control
May 23, 2019
Routine genomic sequencing can identify and inform hospital infection control personnel of patient transmission events in near real-time, enhancing not only detection, but follow-up and investigation … [Read more...]
PUBLIC HEALTH
HCV Testing Uptsake “Limited” Even Among Baby Boomers
May 23, 2019
Only one in six baby boomers report having been tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV)< despite recommendations for universal screening, according to a brief report published in the April issue of … [Read more...]
INDUSTRY BUZZ
Google This: Labs Partner with Tech Giant
May 21, 2019
In recent months, several diagnostic companies have announced alliances with Google, and all involve Google Cloud Platform. Here is how four companies are using Google's … [Read more...]
TOP OF THE NEWS
Federal Effort to Control HIV Depends on Increasing Testing, Treatment Adherence
May 21, 2019
To control the spread of HIV in the United States, HIV infection must be diagnosed early and persons with HIV infection must be quickly linked to sustained care and treatment. These are the core … [Read more...]
NEWS
The President’s Proposed 2019 Federal Budget: The 6 Things Labs Must Know
May 6, 2019
While President Trump's proposed $4.75 trillion budget may be the largest in U.S. history, it calls for important cuts affecting health care in general and labs in particular. Here are the six things … [Read more...]
COMPLIANCE PLANS
OIG Monthly Work Plan Review: April 2019
May 6, 2019
Among the 10 new Work Plan items this month, three may have potential ramifications for at least some labs. Medicaid Managed Care Organization Denials Issue: The State Medicaid agency and the … [Read more...]
EMERGING TESTS
New Point-of Care Paper Test May Improve Diagnosis of Preeclampsia
May 6, 2019
The Congo Red Dot (CRD) Paper Test is a simple, rapid, non-invasive tool that that may improve triage and the accuracy of preeclampsia (PE) diagnosis at the point of care, according to a pilot study … [Read more...]
