Record Spending and Other Top Medical News
Get highlights in 6 slides of headlines that made news this week: billions spent on medicine; patient myths about opioids; heart and lung health; transparency in research.
We have collected details from top stories in the news this week including: Record medical spending ($374 billion in 2014); opioid confusion in the ED (patients believe opioids taken as prescribed won't cause addiction); workplace heart health recommendations (employers are being urged to participate more fully in programs to reduce cardiovascular diseaese); lung health issues (American mortality from lung disease is higher than in many other nations); medical research transparency advocated (WHO says show all trial results, good and bad).The slides above highlight key facts and figures from studies and other reports that made headlines this week. Sources and additional information Drug Spending  Hits Record PacePatients Confused About Opioid AddictionAHA Heart Recommendations for Workplace WellnessTop Issues That Affect Lung HealthMedical Research Goal: More Transparency Â
3 Reasons Urology Practices Should Add Onsite UTI PCR Labs Under New LCD Rules
March 11th 20251. ONSITE PCR TESTING BRINGS SIGNIFICANT CLINICAL BENEFITS TO A PRACTICE. - ACCURACY Traditional urine cultures can give false-negative results. - SPECIFICITY Accurate microbial identification leads to targeted treatment. - SPEED Same day results vs. 3-5 days for traditional urine cultures - - - ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE MARKERS Improves antimicrobial stewardship 2. MAINTAIN INDEPENDENCE BY INCREASING REVENUE SIGNIFICANTLY THROUGH REVENUE SHIFTING FROM THE REFERENCE LAB TO THE PRACTICE. - Turnkey: Consultation on COLA and CLIA certification, all necessary equipment, standard operating procedures, personnel sourcing and interview, billing and coding training, 3-4 days of onsite training. - Stark Law Compliant: Complies with anti-kickback statutes. - Medicare part B pays at 100%, Med Advantage Plans at 80% - No lab build-out, only 8 linear feet of counter space needed - Z-code procurement for required states 3. BETTER PATIENT CARE LEADS TO BETTER OUTCOMES. - CONVENIENCE Point of care, no third-party referral lab. - TIMELY Results early in the care process. - CORRECT MEDICATION Avoids two trips to the pharmacy. - BETTER OUTCOMES Reduction of recurrent UTI and hospitalizations
