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Articles
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Article
July 2015
Comparing D-dimer assays using likelihood ratios and Fagan nomograms
Clinical sensitivity, clinical specificity and predictive values are frequently used as performance measure for a biochemistry assay. When D-dimer assay performance is presented, emphasis is often on the negative predictive value (NPV).
However, predictive values are greatly influenced by the prevalence of the...
Information management
Coagulation/fibrinolysis
D-dimer
Article
July 2015
POCT: Taking control in uncontrolled premises
With the ultimate goal of improving patient care, adoption of point-of-care testing (POCT) continues to grow at a high rate. The ability to deliver fast and reliable results near the patient is a key driver for improving patient outcomes and optimizing clinical workflow.
While there are many advantages, controlling...
Point-of-care testing
Process optimization
Quality assurance
Glucose
Hemoglobins
Article
June 2015
Spurious sodium results (2) pseudohypernatremia
Plasma sodium concentration is measured with an ion-specific electrode (ISE) using either an undiluted sample (direct ISE) or diluted sample (indirect ISE).
This is the second of two linked articles highlighting the spurious sodium values that can occur if an indirect ISE method is used to analyze plasma samples with ...
Electrolytes
Point-of-care testing
Article
April 2015
Update on Procalcitonin Measurements
Reprinted from Ann Lab Med 2014 Sep; 34(4):263-73.
Procalcitonin (PCT) is used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. At the same time, PCT has also been used to guide antibiotic therapy. This review outlines the main indications for PCT measurement and points out possible...
Infection/sepsis
PCT
CRP
Kidneys/fluids
Article
April 2015
Evolution of pathology services with point-of-care testing in Cornwall
This article first appeared in Pathology in Practice (Hobba H, Silver L. Evolution of POC testing. Pathology in Practice 2013; 14 [2]: 63) and is reproduced here by kind permission (www.pathologyinpractice.com). © 2013 kdm communications limited
Point-of-care (POC) testing has allowed the pathology department in...
Process optimization
Point-of-care testing
Quality assurance
Information management
D-dimer
Troponins
CRP
Article
March 2015
Spurious sodium results (1) – pseudohyponatremia
Disturbance of sodium balance is a common occurrence among hospitalized patients that can, if not identified and treated, cause significant morbidity; severe disturbance is potentially lethal. So estimation of plasma sodium concentration is one of the most frequently requested blood tests.
Historically, plasma sodium ...
Electrolytes
Point-of-care testing
Glucose
Kidneys/fluids
Article
January 2015
Why D-dimer tests cannot be used to exclude venous thromboembolism in patients with high pretest probability
D-dimer testing can combined with assessment of pretest probability be used to rule out VTE in patients with a sufficiently low pretest probability of VTE. Patients with a negative D-dimer result can be ruled out, while patients with a positive D-dimer result need to have imaging performed for confirmatory diagnosis.
...
Coagulation/fibrinolysis
Information management
D-dimer
Article
December 2014
Role of POCT in the management of patients with acute dyspnea
This short review aims to put the diagnostic options provided by state-of-the-art POCT technology into perspective with the clinical challenges faced by physicians treating patients presenting with acute dyspnea.
Natriuretic peptides, hemoglobin, D-dimers and venous blood gases play a key role in the early...
Cardiac markers
Blood gases/acid-base
Hemoglobins
Natriuretic peptide
Article
December 2014
Fetal scalp blood sampling
Sampling capillary blood from the fetal scalp during labor of pregnancy, in order to determine its pH, was introduced to obstetric care in the late 1960s.
Despite current skepticism surrounding its utility, most notably in the US, fetal-scalp blood sampling (FSBS) is still considered a useful fetal monitoring test...
Blood gases/acid-base
Neonatology
Glucose
Preanalytical phase
Lactate
Article
October 2014
Point-of-care cardiac markers in the Emergency Department are safe, reduce admissions and do not impact on the 4-hour target
Barnsley Emergency Department (ED), which recruited patients into the RATPAC trial, initiated a point-of-care (POC) pathway for low-risk chest pain patients from December 2011.
All patients who underwent POC testing for chest pain between December 2011 and July 2012 were identified. Patient notes were then examined...
Cardiac markers
Point-of-care testing
Process optimization
Troponins