A shortage with a silver lining: A chance to reduce unneeded blood tests

A pandemic-related shortage of a mundane item – tubes to collect blood samples from patients — has caused headaches for health systems worldwide. But it may also have a silver lining: A lesson in how to reduce unneeded medical tests, whether or not there’s a shortage, according to a new study.

Some physicians are ordering thyroid tests for unsupported reasons

Up to one-third of physicians reported sending patients for a thyroid ultrasound for reasons not supported by clinical care guidelines, a new study led by University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center researchers finds. Routine use of ultrasounds to detect cancerous thyroid nodules have led to a significant increase in thyroid cancer cases in recent years, although many are low-risk and unlikely to cause serious harm.