Objectives
Molecular diagnostic tests for female genital tract infections are common and can offer great utility, but may not always align with evidence based guidelines. We examined claims data from a commercial payer with membership primarily in the Northeastern US to ascertain how tests performed compared with clinical recommendations for molecular infectious disease diagnostic testing.
Methods
Using published practice guidelines (1, 2), we developed clinical appropriateness algorithms for molecular diagnostic testing of the following female genital tract infections: C albicans (CA), C trachomatis (CT), G vaginalis (GV), N gonorrhoeae (NG), T vaginalis (TV) and organisms not otherwise specified (NOS). Based on the guidelines, we deemed quantitative and organism NOS molecular testing as inappropriate. For the remaining tests, we incorporated used gender, ICD9 codes, and test frequency into the algorithms to determine testing appropriateness. These rules were applied to a database of all submitted claims.
Methods
Using published practice guidelines (1, 2), we developed clinical appropriateness algorithms for molecular diagnostic testing of the following female genital tract infections: C albicans (CA), C trachomatis (CT), G vaginalis (GV), N gonorrhoeae (NG), T vaginalis (TV) and organisms not otherwise specified (NOS). Based on the guidelines, we deemed quantitative and organism NOS molecular testing as inappropriate. For the remaining tests, we incorporated used gender, ICD9 codes, and test frequency into the algorithms to determine testing appropriateness. These rules were applied to a database of all submitted claims.
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
