Eric Olmsted, Ph.D.’s Post

An IBMS and Abbott report provides a POCT roadmap for the new UK government, healthcare organisations and primarycare . "Community Diagnostics: Scaling Point-of-Care Testing for Patient-Centred Outcomes" outlines strategic recommendations for integrating Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) across the NHS to revitalise primary healthcare systems. POCT brings care closer to patients, streamlines care pathways, and improves health outcomes by enabling rapid diagnostic results at the point of patient interaction. The report emphasises POCT's potential to facilitate early diagnosis, reduce unnecessary hospital visits, and support antimicrobial stewardship. Given the pressing need for enhanced healthcare delivery as part of the NHS's recovery plan under the new government, this report provides timely guidance on deploying POCT effectively within primary care settings. It outlines key recommendations for policymakers, healthcare organisations, and primary care providers, focusing on integrating POCT into clinical workflows and ensuring its alignment with national health priorities.

Full integration POC rapid diagnostics within the Healthcare systems: Nothing better than having a diagnostic tool near to the patient, that allows fast "Turn Around Time", quicker ER decision making, smoother journey for the patient, saving costs of time, late or early ruling in. POC in critical cases and in cases with critical consequences save costs of admission, transmissions in case of infectious diseases, transportation costs, wrong treatments costs and others. Healthcare policy makers in the Middle East has exerted real effort toward implementing the POC testing in their organizations yet optical cost is still foreseen as a roadblock, however in the way to comple the journey toward better patient quality of life.

IMPORTANT READ FOR PROVIDERS! Exciting changes are on the horizon with NCQA’s latest HEDIS updates! As we continue to raise the bar for healthcare quality, these enhancements will drive better outcomes, greater transparency, and more robust measures. Stay ahead of the curve by understanding how these changes impact your organization and the communities you serve. Let’s work together to deliver excellence in care! #EthevaHealthcareConsultants #HEDIS #HealthcareQuality #NCQA #HealthcareExcellence”

Healthcare Reform: The Future Focus on Prevention: Healthcare reform focusing on prevention is crucial for improving health outcomes and reducing costs. Traditionally, healthcare systems have emphasized treatment rather than prevention, leading to escalating costs and the burden of chronic diseases. By shifting the focus to preventing illness before it occurs, healthcare systems can address the root causes of many diseases, like poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking, thus reducing the need for costly treatments and long-term care. Prevention offers significant benefits: reducing healthcare expenditures, improving health outcomes, and creating a more equitable system. For example, early screenings, vaccinations, and lifestyle interventions can prevent diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Investing in public health education, primary care, and community health initiatives are vital strategies for promoting prevention. Challenges include cultural attitudes, upfront costs, and access to care, particularly for marginalized communities. However, integrating technology, incentivizing preventive care, and implementing policy reforms can overcome these obstacles. A health system focused on prevention can ultimately create a healthier population, lower healthcare costs, and improve overall quality of life.

HEDIS Hybrid Measures Are Changing—Act Now to Protect Your Scores! NCQA® has outlined its timeline for retiring and replacing HEDIS hybrid measures with digital-only methods by Measurement Year (MY) 2029. This shift represents a major opportunity for innovation—but it also carries significant risks if health plans aren’t prepared. Here’s what’s happening: Transitioning to Administrative Only: MY 2026: Lead Screening in Children (LSC) MY 2027: Weight Assessment and Counseling for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Children/Adolescents (WCC) MY 2028: Prenatal and Postpartum Care (PPC) Transitioning to ECDS (Electronic Clinical Data Systems): MY 2028: Controlling High Blood Pressure (CBP) MY 2028: Blood Pressure Control for Patients with Diabetes (BPD) MY 2029: Glycemic Status Assessment for Patients with Diabetes (GSD) MY 2029: Transitions of Care (TRC) MY 2029: Care for Older Adults (COA) Why You Need to Act Now: 1️⃣ Identify Your Data Sources: Understand where you have gaps or underutilized resources in acquiring electronic clinical data and create an action plan. 2️⃣ Ensure Data Completeness: Validate that the data is accurate and comprehensive. Without these steps, health plans risk significant drops in measure rates as the hybrid reporting method is retired. Preparation isn’t just recommended—it’s essential to protect your scores and maintain quality performance as these transitions unfold. Want to dive deeper into the timeline and requirements? Read NCQA’s full announcement below. What’s your plan to tackle this transition? Let’s discuss below!

Value Based Healthcare (VBHC).Understanding and Addressing Variation in Health Care

In the past week, discussions about slashing federal healthcare costs have increased. It makes sense: controlling the cost of healthcare is both a domestic and global concern. In 2022 alone, the U.S. spent $4.5 trillion on healthcare, 17% of GDP. Interestingly, experts at NIH and the CDC estimate that anywhere from 75-90% of that healthcare cost is attributed to chronic disease. Logic follows that the U.S. could spend less and deliver better patient outcomes by reducing the incidence of chronic disease and mitigating disease progression through earlier intervention and precision medicine. Case in point: chronic kidney disease (CKD). A May 2024 study published by NIH projected that the total direct costs of CKD and kidney replacement therapy would be $173.4 billion by 2027. But that’s only half the story. CKD is typically treated alongside a host of serious underlying health conditions, with incremental and directly associated costs: cardiovascular events and stroke ($109 billion) and diabetes and hypertension ($12 billion). Imagine reducing this total nut of nearly 300 billion dollars? That would reduce the need to cut vital healthcare services and programs elsewhere. Our simple, FDA-approved blood test, kidneyintelX.dkd, can help here. The test identifies adult patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (stages 1-3b) who are at increased risk of progressive decline in kidney function. And because the test identifies the level of risk early (Low, Moderate, High), it has the best chance of driving clinical actions (e.g., prescribing certain medications for select patients, not all patients) that mitigate disease progression and improve overall cardio-kidney-metabolic health outcomes. By accurately understanding and acting on risk early, we can help win the clinical battle and the economic war associated with this disease. Follow Renalytix to learn more and to help spread the word.

With over 80% of the $4.5 trillion healthcare budget in the US spent on chronic disease Renalytix's kidneyintelX.dkd offers a way to tackle potential chronic kidney disease early, reducing costs and delivering better patient outcomes.

The Evolution of Vietnam’s Healthcare: Seeking WHO’s Guidance for a Brighter Future Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha meets with Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, Director of the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization, to discuss global healthcare initiatives and Vietnam’s public health goals. (Photo: VGP/MK) During their meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha expressed Vietnam’s gratitude for the pivotal support provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) in orchestrating global healthcare and public health initiatives. He highlighted the country’s appreciation for the companionship, guidance, and expertise offered by WHO officials and specialists across all realms of healthcare policy and services. Vietnam has particularly benefited from this collaboration during the global pandemic. The timely and effective assistance received from the WHO played a crucial role in helping the country navigate and overcome the crisis. As one of the 15 nations chosen by the WHO for mRNA vaccine technology transfer, Vietnam is now seeking practical support to enhance its research and production capabilities for emerging infectious diseases and those with resurging threats, such as measles and tuberculosis. In addition to bolstering its capabilities in infectious disease management, Vietnam is committed to diversifying its healthcare offerings to meet the evolving needs of its citizens. Deputy Prime Minister Ha underscored the intrinsic link between the quality of the living environment and health, emphasizing that healthcare policies and health protection strategies must go hand in hand with environmental considerations. Addressing concerns related to drug, vaccine, and medical product management, he urged the WHO to deploy experts to assist Vietnam in refining its procurement mechanisms. This expertise will ensure a stable and sustainable supply chain for critical healthcare resources. Furthermore, the Ministry of Science and Technology has been tasked with collaborating with the Ministry of Health to assess the health impact of electronic cigarettes, especially among adolescents, and to align their strategies with WHO directives. Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the critical role of primary health care in addressing basic health needs. He pledged the continued support and collaboration of the WHO’s Western Pacific Region office in advancing healthcare in Vietnam and contributing to the region’s and the world’s sustainable development goals. Zoey Nguyễn The post The Evolution of Vietnam’s Healthcare: Seeking WHO’s Guidance for a Brighter Future appeared first on Vietexplorer.com.

The Evolution of Vietnam’s Healthcare: Seeking WHO’s Guidance for a Brighter Future Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha meets with Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, Director of the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization, to discuss global healthcare initiatives and Vietnam’s public health goals. (Photo: VGP/MK) During their meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha expressed Vietnam’s gratitude for the pivotal support provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) in orchestrating global healthcare and public health initiatives. He highlighted the country’s appreciation for the companionship, guidance, and expertise offered by WHO officials and specialists across all realms of healthcare policy and services. Vietnam has particularly benefited from this collaboration during the global pandemic. The timely and effective assistance received from the WHO played a crucial role in helping the country navigate and overcome the crisis. As one of the 15 nations chosen by the WHO for mRNA vaccine technology transfer, Vietnam is now seeking practical support to enhance its research and production capabilities for emerging infectious diseases and those with resurging threats, such as measles and tuberculosis. In addition to bolstering its capabilities in infectious disease management, Vietnam is committed to diversifying its healthcare offerings to meet the evolving needs of its citizens. Deputy Prime Minister Ha underscored the intrinsic link between the quality of the living environment and health, emphasizing that healthcare policies and health protection strategies must go hand in hand with environmental considerations. Addressing concerns related to drug, vaccine, and medical product management, he urged the WHO to deploy experts to assist Vietnam in refining its procurement mechanisms. This expertise will ensure a stable and sustainable supply chain for critical healthcare resources. Furthermore, the Ministry of Science and Technology has been tasked with collaborating with the Ministry of Health to assess the health impact of electronic cigarettes, especially among adolescents, and to align their strategies with WHO directives. Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, Director of the Western Pacific Region of the WHO, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to primary health care as the foundation for addressing basic health needs. He pledged continued collaboration with Vietnam to advance healthcare and contribute to the region’s and the world’s sustainable development goals. Zoey Nguyễn The post The Evolution of Vietnam’s Healthcare: Seeking WHO’s Guidance for a Brighter Future appeared first on Vietexplorer.com.