Long lines for testing. Shortages of critical testing supplies. Case backlogs and long reporting delays. Laboratories across the country and the patients they serve are reliving the nightmares of … [Read more...]
Industry Trends
Surging COVID-19 Cases Are Pushing Laboratories to the Breaking Point
November 21, 2020
Testing Strategy
COVID-19 May Spread via Fecal Matter & Not Just Respiratory Droplets
June 23, 2020
It is a truism that almost nobody questions. Because COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, diagnosis and discharge of patients from hospitals is based on respiratory specimens. However, a new analysis … [Read more...]
Genetic Testing
Despite Recommendations, Autism Patients Are Not Fragile X, Karyotype or CMA Testing
May 26, 2020
Whether due to lack of insurance coverage, personal preference or other reasons, patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not getting recommended genetic testing. That is the conclusion of a … [Read more...]
Test Utilization
COVID-19 Test Shortage Is Real & Likely to Last through 2020
May 26, 2020
Sadly, the question of whether there is enough COVID-19 testing in the U.S. to meet demand has become a political football. Here is a look at the findings of one group that set out to answer this … [Read more...]
Testing Trends
USPSTF Recommends Hepatitis C Virus Infection Screening for All Adults
March 23, 2020
In response to a spike in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection cases among young adults, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) revised its guidance and is now recommending that all adults, not … [Read more...]
Money Talks
Test Utilization: Payment Policies More Effective than Practice Recommendations in Curbing Orders of Low-Value Tests
March 20, 2020
When it comes to getting physicians not to order low-value laboratory tests, money talks. At least, that is the punchline of a new study finding that changes in payment policies are more effective … [Read more...]
Coronavirus
FDA Takes Unprecedented Measures to Promote Rapid Development of Coronavirus Diagnostic Tests
March 17, 2020
The FDA is following a two-prong strategy to promote and expedite development and validation of a test capable of safe, rapid and reliable detection of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the disease caused … [Read more...]
ACMG the Latest to Come Out Against Genetic Testing for All Breast Cancer Patients
January 19, 2020
The debate over the need for genetic testing of all breast cancer patients for germline pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in BRCA1, BRCA2 and other breast cancer-linked genes continues with the … [Read more...]
FDA WATCH
FDA Watch: Agency Resounds the Alarm on Biotin Test Interference
November 19, 2019
In early November 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated a previous safety communication about the potential of biotin to significantly interfere with diagnostic tests. The … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Testing Trends: The Debate Continues Over Regular Colorectal Screening for Average Risk Adults
November 16, 2019
Should adults age 50 to 75 who are at average risk and show no symptoms of colorectal cancer have regular colorectal screening exams? Last month, a major medical journal came out against regular … [Read more...]
