Real World Evaluation of Next-Day Molecular Respiratory Infectious Disease Testing on Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs

Andrea J French, Maren S Fragala, Azia S Evans, Pallavi Upadhyay, Steven E Goldberg, Jairus Reddy HealthTrackRx, Denton, TX, USACorrespondence: Maren S Fragala, HealthTrackRx, 1500 Interstate 35W, Denton, TX, 76207, USA, Email [email protected]: Advancements in pathogen identification by diagnostic testing may improve patient outcomes. This study evaluated healthcare utilization and costs following diagnostic testing for acute oropharyngeal and respiratory tract infections (RTIs).Patients and Methods: Healthcare utilization and costs were evaluated in patients with acute oropharyngeal infections (n=1,172,693), and RTIs (n=4,005,228) who received a syndromic panel-based PCR test with next-day results (HealthTrackRx, Denton, TX), or no test in the IQVIA PharMetrics® Plus adjudicated claims database.Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between patients who received the PCR test compared to those who received no test. The PCR test cohort had lower total healthcare costs (mean = &dollar;5,601±&dollar;29,170, median = &dollar;807) versus the no test cohort (mean = &dollar;7,460±&dollar;40,817, median = &dollar;1,163) (p = 0.0014) over 6 months, and fewer outpatient visits, other medical service visits, emergency room visits, and inpatient stays (p< 0.0001). Similarly, those who received the PCR test for oropharyngeal infection trended towards lower total healthcare costs (mean = &dollar;4,393±&dollar;13,524, median=&dollar;844) than those who received no test (mean = &dollar;5,503±&dollar;34,141, median = &dollar;956) (p=0.0525) and had fewer outpatient and other medical services (p< 0.0001).Conclusion: Next-day molecular testing for respiratory and oropharyngeal infection lowers healthcare utilization and costs, suggesting improved patient care through reduced need for healthcare resources.Keywords: PCR, NAAT, syndromic multiplex testing, respiratory virus, influenza viruses, respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, diagnostics, healthcare utilizatio

The benefits of strength training on musculoskeletal system health: practical applications for interdisciplinary care

Global health organizations have provided recommendations regarding exercise for the general population. Strength training has been included in several position statements due to its multi-systemic benefits. In this narrative review, we examine the available literature, first explaining how specific mechanical loading is converted into positive cellular responses. Secondly, benefits related to specific musculoskeletal tissues are discussed, with practical applications and training programmes clearly outlined for both common musculoskeletal disorders and primary prevention strategies

Energy expenditure of selected household activities during pregnancy

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Energy expenditure of selected household activities during pregnancy

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The need to redefine age- and gender-specific overweight and obese body mass index cutoff points.

For convenience, health practitioners and clinicians are inclined to classify people/patients as overweight or obese based on body mass index (BMI) cutoff points of 25 and 30 kg m(-2) respectively, irrespective of age and gender. The purpose of the current study was to identity whether, for the same levels of adiposity, BMI is the same across different age groups and gender. A two-way ANCOVA revealed significant differences in BMI between different age groups and gender (plus an interaction), using body fat (%) as the covariate, data taken from a random sample of the English population (n=2993). Younger people had greater BMI than older people for the same levels of adiposity (differences ranged by 4 BMI units for males, and 3 BMI units for females). In conclusion, if BMI thresholds for overweight (BMI=25 kg m(-2)) and obese (BMI=30 kg m(-2)) are to reflect the same levels of adiposity across all gender and age groups within a population, then age- and gender-specific BMI adjustments outlined here are necessary to more accurately/fairly reflect the same critical levels of adiposity

Benefits Achieved for Patients Through Application of Height-Adjustable Examination Tables

Objectives: Ambulatory care is a rapidly growing segment of overall healthcare delivery and populations seen in ambulatory care settings are aging resulting in many patients with mobility limitations. Mounting a fixed height examination table can present a challenge to a patient with mobility limitations and may be somewhat difficult for the general patient population. This study sought to investigate potential benefits to the patient which might be achieved through introduction of height adjustable examination tables. Methods: A data collection tool was administered to patients at the time of a regularly scheduled clinic visit intended to measure exertion required, level of difficulty and feeling of safety. Results: Both patients requiring assistance and independent patients reported higher exertion, more difficulty and feeling less safe when mounting higher fixed height versus height adjustable examination tables. Conclusions: Height adjustable examination tables provide benefits to patients and should be considered when seeking furnishings for ambulatory care clinics