How laboratories define a serological hallmark of systemic lupus erythematous and which assays they use to detect it could contribute to misclassification of patients identified as anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) negative, according to researchers. Most people who have lupus test positive for ANAs as part of an immunology screening for autoimmune disorders. The presence of ANAs…
Hydrocodone Bitartrate, Secukinumab, Varenicline Updates, Trials, Approvals
Plus, rheumatology drug news, safety updates
Laboratory Testing for Diagnosis, Management of Patients with Rheumatic Disease
A review of data on antinuclear antibodies and tests for rheumatoid arthritis
Ebola: Hemorrhagic Fever and Macrophage Activation Syndrome
Rheumatologists focus on similar clinical, laboratory findings to better
understand pathobiology of Ebola infection
Steps to Help Rheumatologists Achieve Office Compliance in Laboratory Coding
A guide to ensure proper coding, billing and accurately diagnose patients.
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Establish Quality Standards for Lab Tests
Categorization of health-assessment tests, certificates helps ensure test accuracy, reliability, and timeliness; plus, how to apply for a CLIA waiver
Fellow’s Forum Case Report: Arthritis, Fever, and Weight Loss In a Teenager Suggest A Rheumatic Condition
Joint pain and swelling flare up in a 14-year-old boy who tests positive for inflammation, thrombocytosis, and human leukocyte antigen B27
Coding Corner Answer: November Coding Challenge
Coding for medical decision making in the evaluation and management (E/M) for assessment and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and elevated blood pressure
Coding Corner Question: October
Test your coding knowledge
Coding Corner Answer: October Coding Challenge
The rule for coding the drug administration’s CPT codes; coding an incident to patient correctly; billing for both a joint injection and aspiration; coding for five-trigger point injections in three different muscles; and the laboratory code for crystal identification by light microscopy lab