The physiological stress response to critical illness and trauma determines that transiently raised blood glucose (hyperglycemia) is common among those admitted to intensive care, irrespective of their diabetes status. Much research has been directed at establishing whether or not intensive insulin therapy aimed at...

For patients presenting to the ED with symptoms of a suspected infection, measuring procalcitonin (PCT) is a useful diagnostic tool to identify bacterial infections, such as sepsis, allowing for early initiation of proper antibiotic treatment. In assessing the severity of sepsis, serum PCT levels are an important...

Point-of-care testing (POCT) covers a broad range of pathology and non-pathology testing. The volume of POCT is rapidly increasing with an annual growth rate of 12-15 %. By virtue of its compactness, portability, and the feasibility of operation by non-laboratory personnel, where fast and accurate testing methods and...

As the authors of a recent wide-ranging review of the subject make clear, point-of-care testing (POCT) has greatly expanded, in terms of both prevalence and functionality, over past decades. They report a predicted average growth rate in the use of POCT in the US of >15 % over the coming years.  The three authors (one ...

Central laboratory or point-of-care testing of blood to determine natriuretic peptide (either BNP or N-terminal proBNP) concentration has a clinically established role in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with breathlessness; normal levels exclude a diagnosis of heart failure, a common cause of...

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...

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 ...

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...

The concentration of sodium (Na) in blood serum/plasma is determined by ion-specific electrode (ISE) technology that measures the physiologically important activity of sodium ions present in the aqueous (water) phase of plasma.  Two methods are available: direct ISE and indirect ISE. Direct ISE, which is employed in...

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 ...