In what has been called the "era of the medical selfie," at-home, smartphone-based urine testing is now a reality. In a short timeframe, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared … [Read more...]
INDUSTRY TRENDS
Despite 23andMe Authorization, FDA Cautious About PGx Testing
November 26, 2018
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided 23andMe (Mountain View, Calif.) authorization for the first direct-to-consumer (DTC) test for detecting genetic variants that may be associated … [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 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...]
TESTING STRATEGY
FDA Enabling New Point-of-Care Tests for Ebola Outbreak, Flu Season
November 26, 2018
Several recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) actions are bringing point-of-care (POC) infectious disease tests closer to patient care. These recent regulatory wins are enabling more rapid … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Multiplex, Point-of-Care Test for STIs Could Offer Public Health Benefits
November 12, 2018
Point-of-care (POC) testing that could simultaneously identify multiple sexually transmitted infections (STIs) could be a valuable addition to sexual health clinics, according to a U.K. study … [Read more...]
TESTING STRATEGY
Evidence Suggests Need for Expanded HCV Testing, Particularly Coupled With Opioid Screening in Young People
November 5, 2018
Current hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening strategies may not be adequate in the face of the opioid epidemic. Previous screening guidelines have focused on reaching the estimated 2.7 million persons … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
New Studies ID Strategies to Address Overuse of Laboratory Testing
October 29, 2018
The cost and quality of care are the focus of improvement initiatives happening at health systems across the country. Like imaging and other procedures, the necessity of laboratory testing, too, is … [Read more...]
INNOVATION
AI Using Laboratory Data to Inform Clinical Decisions
October 15, 2018
Artificial intelligence- (AI-) based technology is beginning to penetrate health care. Like most other clinical decision-making, several early AI applications rely upon laboratory data. While … [Read more...]
GUIDELINES
Rapid Molecular Testing Saves Hospitals Time, Money Ruling Out TB
October 1, 2018
Molecular testing facilitates faster discontinuation of respiratory isolation for individuals undergoing evaluation for active tuberculosis (TB) in U.S. hospitals, according to a study published Aug. … [Read more...]
