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Articles and journal scans about Point-of-care testing
Article
January 2009
An introduction to reference intervals (1) - some theoretical considerations
The population-based reference interval is the most
widely used tool for interpretation of individual patient
laboratory test results. The clinical value of those results
depend crucially on the reference intervals with which they are
compared, and all efforts directed at ensuring analytically
precise and accurate...
Blood gases/acid-base
Point-of-care testing
Process optimization
Hemoglobins
Journal Scan
October 2008
Reliability of point of care potassium measurement confirmed
Blood gas analysis has been performed at the point of care for well
over 20 years and is sufficiently established for clinicians to
have no misgivings about using pH, pCO2 and
pO2 results obtained at the point of care for
direct patient management.
Modern blood gas analyzers now have the
capacity to measure not only...
Electrolytes
Point-of-care testing
Article
October 2008
Troponin Testing and the Tyranny of Distance
Chest pain is a frequent cause of hospitalization and comprises a significant proportion of the acute medical workload in the western world. This issue is compounded for those living in regional or remote communities due to limited access to pathology services and tertiary-referral institutions.
Evidence suggests...
Cardiac markers
Point-of-care testing
Troponins
Article
July 2008
How to Avoid Preanalytical Testing Errors: A Virtual Roundtable Discussion
It is estimated that a majority of all laboratory medicine errors are errors that occur during the preanalytical phase of the laboratory testing cycle. Such errors have a significant impact on patient safety, staff workload, and hospital costs.
Correctly identifying patients and avoiding specimen-labeling errors are...
Point-of-care testing
Preanalytical phase
Quality assurance
Glucose
Article
July 2008
Point of care connectivity
With the use of a new Data Management System (DMS) software program [1], the majority of Point Of Care Testing (POCT) equipment throughout the Waikato District Health Board region has been connected to the Laboratory Information System (LIS) and the Hospital Information System (HIS).
Prior to the new DMS, viewing...
Point-of-care testing
Blood gases/acid-base
Information management
Process optimization
Glucose
Troponins
Article
June 2008
Point-of-care testing, now and in the near future
Introduction of point–of-care testing (POCT) in hospitals requires the use of principles of change management. Manufacturers can support this process.
E-learning programs adapted to the local situation with regular updates, a centralized accreditation and user-registration system and service level agreements are...
Point-of-care testing
Information management
Process optimization
Glucose
Journal Scan
January 2008
Lactate measurement – point of care versus the laboratory
Lactate measurement is important for diagnostic and prognostic assessment of the critically ill. Traditionally, lactate has been measured on serum/plasma samples in the central laboratory, but modern blood gas and other point-of-care analyzers now provide the means for real-time monitoring of lactate on whole blood at ...
Point-of-care testing
Lactate
Article
January 2008
Point-of-care testing; systems re-engineering of healthcare provision to reduce errors, and improve outcomes
Modern analytical devices for testing biological fluids, such as blood, have now developed a sophistication that ensures the quality of the analytical result is capable of matching that achieved in the central laboratory.
Complementary developments are focused on reducing operator-related and connectivity-related...
Point-of-care testing
Information management
Process optimization
Article
September 2007
Patient safety 2007
In 2005, acutecaretesting.org interviewed Dr Michael Astion, an active spokesperson for patient safety and reduction of lab errors, on the main issues surrounding the topic. Since then, a lot has changed… or has it? In a follow-up interview with Astion, acutecaretesting.org gauges the status of patient safety year...
Point-of-care testing
Information management
Process optimization
Glucose
Article
September 2007
Automating blood gas improves preanalytical quality
Tartu University Hospital has improved the quality of blood gas testing in its clinical laboratory and critical care units by introducing an automatic system for blood gas analysis [1].
Process optimization
Blood gases/acid-base
Information management
Point-of-care testing
Preanalytical phase
Hemoglobins