Dave Garets, Healthcare IT industry analyst I know what you’re thinking: “Garets is mouthing off again. Thank goodness he doesn’t do it more than once a year.” Last year about this time I blogged about what you’d see at HIMSS15. Now I’m going to suggest something you ought to check out at HIMSS16 beyond the blather about BI/analytics/big data, population … Read More
Genelex receives Innovative Technology Designation from Vizient, Inc. for YouScript®
Designation recognizes the development of new solutions that benefit the health care industry Seattle, WA; January 27, 2015 – Genelex announced its YouScript® Precision Prescribing analytics software has received Innovative Technology designation from Vizient, Inc., formerly Novation, the largest member-owned health care company in the country. The designation was based on reviews of YouScript by hospital experts who attended Vizient’s … Read More
Remembering Dr. David Flockhart
As a provider of drug interaction clinical decision support and predictive analytics, we recognize that our efforts would not be possible without the scientists and clinicians who’ve spent thousands of hours during the last half century conducting research, discovering mechanisms and finding solutions for preventing adverse drug events (ADE). One person in particular has had a tremendous influence on the current … Read More
Naloxone: A way back from an opioid overdose
Naloxone, a medication used to pull individuals from the brink of an opioid overdose, can save lives. That’s the message government agencies and medical societies are broadcasting as they strengthen calls to increase access to this prescription drug, known as an opioid antagonist. Naloxone counters the effects of opioids and can reverse an opioid overdose in minutes. Opioid abuse and … Read More
Case Report: Antidepressant-gene interaction tied to ‘shimmering’ vision problems
As a 60-year-old woman sat and did her crossword puzzle, the rows and columns began to rhythmically move up and down on the page. She described what she was seeing as “shimmering, like watching a ping-pong ball move back and forth.” Each episode lasted a few seconds and occurred as often as every 30 minutes throughout the day. History of … Read More
New research shows YouScript cuts ER visits, hospitalizations
What if an under-used type of genetic testing combined with state-of-the-art clinical decision support software could cut ER visits by more than half and reduce hospitalizations by a third in the elderly? New research has found that the YouScript Personalized Prescribing System, combining pharmacogenetic testing and patented medication management software, can do just that. Preliminary data from a soon-to-be-published study … Read More
Your HSA and you: A flexible way to cover medical expenses
You’ve likely heard the term “HSA” used when talking about health insurance plans. But what exactly is it, and what do those three letters stand for? HSA stands for “health savings account.” It’s a savings account that’s often created in connection with a high-deductible health insurance plan and is designed to help you pay medical expenses. Generally, any adult covered … Read More
October: Now is the time to get informed about breast cancer
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the U.S., meaning now is the time to learn more about the disease, the genetic component to a common breast cancer medication and steps women can take to detect the disease early. Breast cancer strikes about one in eight women in the U.S. and is the second leading cause of cancer death in … Read More
The Pharmacist’s Corner: Understanding Opioid Effectiveness and Adherence Using Pharmacogenetics
By Swan Lin, PharmD Candidate, and Valerie Fishbeck, PharmD A patient walks up to the pharmacy counter with two new prescriptions for the opioid oxycodone, also known as Oxycontin. One is for a long acting form of the medication while the other is for a short-acting form; prescribing both is common pain management strategy. The patient had previously been … Read More
New financial analysis reveals significant savings realized from CYP2C19 testing
Twenty lives and $440,000 over a year. For every 1,000 patients. That’s what CYP2C19 pharmacogenetic testing could save if used to help prescribe clopidogrel (Plavix), prasugrel or ticagrelor to specific cardiac patients. A budget analysis found that a genotype-guided approach for acute coronary syndrome patients (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for one year saved 20 lives and $444,852 in … Read More