Lack of routine testing can lead to tragic consequences for patients with cancer; an analysis raises questions about clinical benefits of digital diabetes management tools; overuse of antibiotics poses risks to patients with a misdiagnosis of pneumonia.
The Deadly Risk of Chemotherapy Overdoses
Common types of chemotherapy, such as fluorouracil (5-FU) or capecitabine, can be deadly for patients with cancer who are deficient in an enzyme that metabolizes drugs, according to Kaiser Health News. Despite the potential for severe adverse events, including death, routine preemptive testing for patients who may be deficient in the enzyme remains uncommon in the US, with about 3% of American oncologists saying they regularly order the tests before prescribing. While European authorities and some US health care entities have advocated for testing, resistance persists among oncologists, raising questions about patient safety and the need for broader adoption of screening protocols.
Evaluation of Digital Diabetes Management Tools Sparks Debate Over Effectiveness
The Peterson Health Technology Institute (PHTI) recently released a critical analysis of widely used digital diabetes management solutions, casting doubt on their clinical effectiveness and economic impact, according to Fierce Healthcare. The report, which evaluated 8 popular tools, concluded that these solutions fail to deliver significant clinical benefits and may even increase health care spending. While stakeholders acknowledged the need for rigorous evaluation of digital health tools, debates have arisen over the methodology and conclusions drawn by the PHTI, signaling a broader discussion about the standards for assessing digital health innovations.
High Rate of Inappropriate Pneumonia Diagnoses in Michigan Hospitals
A recent study sheds light on the prevalence of inappropriate pneumonia diagnoses in Michigan hospitals, raising concerns about the overuse of antibiotics and potential harm to patients, according to CIDRAP. The findings indicated that 12% of patients were inappropriately diagnosed with pneumonia, with older patients and those with dementia being the most affected. Alarmingly, nearly 88% of patients with an inappropriate diagnosis received full courses of antibiotics, increasing the risk of antibiotic-associated adverse events and contributing to antibiotic resistance.
Emily Goldberg Shares Insights as a Genetic Counselor for Breast Cancer Risk Screening
October 30th 2023On this episode of Managed Care Cast, Emily Goldberg, MS, CGC, a genetic counselor at JScreen, breaks down how genetic screening for breast cancer works and why it is so important to increase awareness and education around these screening tools available to patients who may be at risk for cancer.
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A new study highlights significant disparity in reimbursement rates across states between hospitals and Medicare; the first patient to receive a genetically modified pig kidney has died; research examines outcomes of over 500 patients receiving medication abortion pills by mail.
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Examining Telehealth Uptake to Increase Equitable Care Access
January 26th 2023To mark the publication of The American Journal of Managed Care®’s 12th annual health IT issue, on this episode of Managed Care Cast, we speak with Christopher M. Whaley, PhD, health care economist at the RAND Corporation, who focuses on health economics issues, including the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care delivery.
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Bringing Connectivity to the Specialty Pharmacy Workflow
May 2nd 2024In a session during the final full day of conference activity at AXS24, experts from CVS Health and Surescripts emphasized the need to simplify the prescribing workflow for specialty medication through proactive messaging, automation, and interoperability.
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