In the world of medicine today staying ahead of the curve and taking preventive steps is the only sensible approach to mitigating and reducing more serious illnesses, conditions and maladies in patients. In recent year’s machines like the QSART (Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test), have been very popular among some physicians for its diagnostic capability analyzing small nerve fiber neuropathies. The Mayo Clinic explains the test in more detail, “This test evaluates how the nerves that regulate your sweat glands respond to stimulation. A small electrical current passes through four capsules placed on your forearm, foot and leg, while a computer analyzes the response of your nerves and sweat glands. You may feel warmth or a tingling sensation during the test.”
Some other prominent well-known systems that many doctors have considered for their diagnostic needs are the ANS machine, which diagnoses autonomic system dysfunction, this shows any imbalances between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in the body. ABI (Ankle Brachial Index) testing and Cardio metabolic testing are also popular tests done in the Primary Care sector.
In the past, physician offices had to own independent equipment pieces like these to do each of these testing’s. While the importance of each of these tests from a Primary Care setting is crucial for preventative medicine, the underlying cost to afford all of these different diagnostic equipment machines would be quite exorbitant. It has only been until recently where new and more innovative ALL In One diagnostic testing devices have become available to the medical community. These systems like the LD technologies device or LD Tek for short, allow physicians to have the benefit of all of these equipment therapies under 1 all-inclusive system that provides a 15-minute test as well as a summary report that explains the entire overview and outlay of the patient.
In the case of the LD Tek system it tests for:
- Autonomic Nervous system dysfunction
- Sudomotor Dysfunction
- Cardiometabolic Risk
- Small Fiber Neuropathy
- Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy
- Endothelial dysfunction
- Insulin Resistance
- Cardiovascular disease via Plethysmography
With this combined testing option, it now allows physicians to take up less space in their practice with multiple devices and simultaneously reduces the wait time for each patient. Instead of 8 tests each taking 30 minutes, now with this technology the doctor can assess multiple diagnostic perspectives in a summary test that quickly analyzes each of the key areas explained above. From an efficiency standpoint of the medical office and a cost effective point, these types of systems make a lot of sense for private practices, urgent cares and primary care centers.
It is important to note that all testing should only be executed based on the medical necessity of the patient. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, an assessment form can be put out in the doctor’s waiting room and filled out by the patient upon coming in for a visit. This is a comprehensive form that goes over all the possible symptoms a patient could theoretically have that would be a telltale sign of a larger condition, e.g. fainting in the bathroom after urinating while standing, that could be a direct corollary with an autonomic nervous system dysfunction known more commonly as Syncope, which might then qualify for testing based on the physician’s recommendations and consultation. Another means for verifying medical necessity is by the actual consultation itself, where the doctor evaluates the patient. Whatever the means, these steps are necessary in order to ensure that testing is compliant and actually helping the patient’s needs.
