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...]
UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT
Utilization: Study Finds that Distribution of Free Self-Tests Increases HIV Testing & Awareness
January 3, 2020
Internet distribution of free HIV self-tests can boost testing, promote awareness among high-risk individuals resulting in less incidence of transmitting the disease. These are the key findings of a … [Read more...]
TEST UTILIZATION
Test Utilization: ‘Cascades of Care’ Cause Wasteful, Unnecessary and Anxiety-Producing Testing
November 16, 2019
Experts estimate that $200 billion is wasted annually on excessive testing and treatment. The typical dynamic is a chain reaction: Something “comes up” on diagnostic tests or screenings and triggers … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
Test Utilization: New Guidelines Recommend Basing Routine Colorectal Cancer Screening on Risk Rather than Age
October 16, 2019
Even people who are not in diagnostics have probably heard that adults age 50 to 79 should get routine colorectal screening exams. But now that longstanding recommendation has changed. According to … [Read more...]
Utilization Management
Inside the Diagnostics Industry: Quest-hc 1 System Leverages Lab Data to Help Providers Monitor Test Utilization
October 16, 2019
Getting Medicare and private insurers to pay for lab tests is as challenging as it’s ever been. It’s not just about reimbursement. Payors have become fanatically dedicated to weeding out lab testing … [Read more...]
PUBLIC HEALTH
Partnerships, IT Solutions Improve Infectious Disease Diagnostic Stewardship
June 10, 2019
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...]
TOP OF THE NEWS
New Federal Taskforce to Speed Implementation of Emergency Use Diagnostics
April 8, 2019
Three federal agencies announced the creation of a new taskforce to provide timely recommendations to laboratories for rapid implementation of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays during public health … [Read more...]
TESTING TRENDS
With Focus on Cost Cutting, Post-Op Labs Not Needed After Knee Replacement
March 26, 2019
Routine postoperative laboratory testing is not necessary for low-risk patients having elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA), according to a study published Jan. 18 in the Journal of Clinical … [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...]
