Polygenic Risk Scores
Multifactorial conditions are complex health problems that have genetic and environmental influences. They are not dependent upon a variant in a single gene like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia. A Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) aims to capture this cumulative impact from variants in many genes to estimate a risk of developing a specific health […]
Read MoreOvarian Cancer Awareness
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among females; however, ovarian cancer cases are not nearly as common compared to lung, breast, colon, and prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be about 20,000 new cases and 13,000 deaths due to ovarian cancer in 2023 in the United States. About […]
Read MoreRegulating Laboratory Developed Tests…the Balance Between Oversight and Innovation*
Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) have been clinically available for decades and are defined by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an “IVD [in vitro diagnostic] that is intended for clinical use and designed, manufactured and used within a single laboratory.” These tests are ordered routinely by clinicians and are critical for patient care. […]
Read MoreChatGPT and Healthcare
As discussed previously, AI technologies have the capability to enhance healthcare and improve patient outcomes. There is a technology that stands alone in its promise to disrupt and change healthcare called ChatGPT. Although there are similar proprietary technologies, ChatGPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer) currently has received an enormous amount of press and scrutiny in the mainstream […]
Read MoreAn Overview of Current Healthcare Technology
Healthcare and laboratory medicine continue to improve upon existing technologies and introduce new innovations to improve patient care. Indeed, healthcare technology allows for increased efficiency, reduces human errors, and can also enhance patient satisfaction. Historically, upgrades to health technology have been relatively slow and fragmented. It is very difficult to broadly execute technological innovations within […]
Read MoreLung Cancer
Lung cancer ranks as the world’s most prevalent and the third most common cancer in the US, with a staggering 238,000 new cases anticipated in 2023.
Read MoreInterview with Dr. Dorothy Adcock
Dr. Dorothy Adcock, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Senior Vice President (SVP), was first introduced in a previous article. However, we wanted to take an opportunity for her to share her professional journey and discuss specific insights about her career as a physician, research scientist, and industry executive.
Read MoreAppropriate Test Utilization using Clinical Decision Support Systems
Despite this legal and regulatory structure in the United States, lab testing over utilization is still problematic.
Read MoreRace, Ethnicity, and Genetic Ancestry and Genetic Testing
To make carrier screening more equitable and scientifically accurate, clinicians should not rely upon a patient’s self-reported ethnicity, which may conflict with their true genetic ancestry.
Read MoreThyroid Testing Overutilization – Possible Solutions
Data suggests there is quite a bit of variability among providers regarding thyroid testing, and some may not follow ordering guidelines. Unnecessary lab testing in general, is a waste of precious time, resources, and can lead to patient harm.
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