CHEST Physician
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Biomarker checklist seeks to expedite NSCLC diagnoses
Establishing a systematic biomarker testing program for patients with suspected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) takes both time and collaboration across specialties. To standardize this process, the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) created two clinician checklists for use in practice. The case-by-case checklist helps guide physicians to ensure timely and comprehensive biomarker testing for…
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New age of CHEST philanthropy to focus on education, impact, community
In a time echoing with the constant call for transformation, CHEST delved deep into its essence, questioning its potential for impact. This pivotal introspection led to a crucial inquiry… Are we harnessing every opportunity to make a difference? It’s a familiar question, yet its resonance urged a deeper evaluation. Philanthropy has long been entwined in…
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Updates in evidence for rituximab in interstitial lung disease
Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are a heterogeneous group of fibro-inflammatory disorders that can be progressive despite available therapies. The cornerstones of pharmacologic therapy include immunosuppression and antifibrotics. Data on the use of rituximab, a B-lymphocyte-depleting monoclonal antibody, often utilized as rescue therapy in progressive and severe ILD, was limited until recently. The RECITAL trial reported…
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Examining the past and looking toward the future: The need for quality data in interventional pulmonology
During the last decade, the explosion of technological advancements in the field of interventional pulmonary (IP) has afforded patients the opportunity to undergo novel, minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. However, these unprecedented technological advances have often been introduced without the support of high-quality research on safety and efficacy, and without evaluating their impact on…
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Obesity and lung disease in the era of GLP-1 agonists
Now is the time for pulmonary clinicians to become comfortable counseling patients about and treating obesity. By 2030, half of the US population will have obesity, a quarter of which will be severe (Ward et al. NEJM. 2019;2440-2450). Many pulmonary diseases, including asthma, COPD, and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are linked to and made worse…
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CHEST grant winners to study health inequities related to air pollution, medication nonadherence, and more
In 2023, CHEST awarded $300,000 in clinical research and community impact grants to 15 individuals. Grant recipients are recognized for their scientifically meritorious achievements, with rigorous metrics to track their project’s progress, and have innovative, novel approaches to addressing their research topic. CHEST grants have made a difference in patients’ lives by leading to breakthroughs…
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CHEST introduces five core organizational values
Looking ahead to 2024, one notable accomplishment of the past 12 months that will guide our organization for years to come was to establish CHEST organizational values. The result of a collaborative process that was led by the Value-Setting Work Group and informed by CHEST leaders, members, and staff, the CHEST values are Community, Inclusivity,…
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Coding & Billing: A look into bronchoscopic codes and digital evaluations
Pulmonary physicians and particularly interventional bronchoscopists have been receiving denials when CPT® codes 31628 Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with transbronchial lung biopsy(s), single lobe and 31629 Bronchoscopy, rigid or flexible, including fluoroscopic guidance, when performed; with transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy(s), trachea, main stem and/or lobar bronchus(i) are billed during the…
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Should intensivists place PEG tubes in critically ill patients?
The practice of initiating early and adequate nutrition in critically ill patients is a cornerstone of ICU management. Adequate nutrition combats the dangerous catabolic state that accompanies critical illness. A few of the benefits of this practice are a decrease in disease severity with resultant lessened hospital and ICU lengths of stay, reduced infection rates,…
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“A physician’s secret weapon”: Why the world needs more RTs
CHEST and the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) are continuing their longstanding partnership to raise awareness about the More RTs initiative, which addresses the alarming shortage of respiratory therapists (RTs) in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the shortage of RTs, but the problem predated the 2020 crisis. A survey from the American…
