Cross-Program Updates for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR), Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR), and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Programs: We are finalizing the removal of: (1) the COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Personnel (HCP) measure from the Hospital OQR and ASCQR Program measure sets beginning with the CY 2024 reporting period/CY 2026 payment determination
Biological sex: Women reach higher peak BAC than men from equivalent intake due to lower gastric ADH activity, lower body water percentage, and hormonal effects on ethanol absorption through the gastrointestinal tract
Assessment considerations include: Serum B12 measurement may be considered before initiating Ozempic in high-risk patients (those on metformin, older adults, those with gastrointestinal symptoms, or with restricted diets) Testing for B12 deficiency should be performed in patients on metformin who develop symptoms suggestive of deficiency, as advised by the MHRA Drug Safety Update Consider periodic monitoring in patients with risk factors for B12 deficiency, rather than routine annual testing for all patients Full blood count to identify macrocytic anaemia, which may indicate B12 or folate deficiency Clinical assessment for symptoms of deficiency: fatigue, paraesthesia, cognitive changes, glossitis, or balance problems If B12 levels are borderline or if clinical suspicion remains despite normal serum B12 (measured in pmol/L, with laboratory-specific reference ranges), additional testing may be considered according to local laboratory protocols
For longer storage, acetic acid provides better stability
