Printed from acutecaretesting.org
Articles and journal scans about Process optimization
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
Article
October 2014
Keeping a tight lid on operator and competency management in point-of-care testing
Point-of-care pathology testing is becoming increasingly common in hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices; anywhere where time is critical and results are required at the patient’s side.
However, results must be accurate and reproducible to be meaningful, and it is imperative that a close eye is kept on...
Process optimization
Point-of-care testing
Quality assurance
Information management
Glucose
Article
October 2014
POCT in emergency rooms: One key factor for process streamlining with Lean Management
In the past years, emergency rooms (ER) all over Germany, especially those of maximum-care hospitals, have been faced with an increasing number of patients. This is caused by a variety of factors, including demographic changes, inflexible ambulant services and an overreaching demand for healthcare services.
ER...
Cardiac markers
Point-of-care testing
Process optimization
Hemoglobins
D-dimer
Troponins
CRP
Article
January 2014
Point-of-care blood gas testing decreases ventilator time of the post isolated coronary artery bypass patient
Fast, accurate blood gas testing is a critical component to managing the post isolated coronary artery bypass (ISO-CAB) patient in the hospital intensive care unit/coronary care Unit (ICU/CCU).
Post ISO-CAB patients are admitted to the ICU/CCU after surgery mechanically ventilated. Evidence-based medicine supports...
Process optimization
Point-of-care testing
Blood gases/acid-base
Article
October 2013
Optimizing blood gas testing
Article reprinted with permission from NP Communications LLC/Medical Laboratory Observer, September 2013.
Laboratorians responsible for arterial blood gas testing are focusing on sample integrity, operator safety, data accuracy, and workflow efficiency.
Process optimization
Point-of-care testing
Quality assurance
Blood gases/acid-base
Article
July 2013
A regional program for POCT service to emergency departments – results and remaining challenges
In a regional top-management decision, our laboratory was given the mission to control and quality assure all POCT activities in a regional network of 10 hospitals with emergency units. Based on previous work, new region-wide recommendations, procurements, IT connectivity, services, training, accreditation (ISO...
Process optimization
Point-of-care testing
Blood gases/acid-base
Glucose
Lactate
Creatinine/urea
D-dimer
CRP
Article
June 2013
How to optimize patient flow and outcome in ED - The impact of point of care
Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding is becoming an increasingly international issue.
Although the problem is not only resolved by ED change management (but rather requires a system-wide solution recognizing the complex interdependencies of consumer expectations, human resources, information systems immaturity and...
Point-of-care testing
Process optimization
Blood gases/acid-base
Electrolytes
Cardiac markers
Glucose
Hemoglobins
Bilirubin
D-dimer
Troponins
Journal Scan
April 2013
Proposal for more judicious use of oxygen therapy
By measurement of partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) and oxygen saturation (sO2), arterial blood gas analysis provides the gold standard method for assessment of blood oxygenation and the means for monitoring supplemental oxygen therapy. More frequent use of arterial blood gases for this purpose will be required if the...
Process optimization
Journal Scan
April 2013
Red-cell transfusion for the critically ill – is fresh best?
Anemia is a common feature of critical illness and roughly a third of all patients being cared for in intensive care units are given red-cell transfusion. Although such transfusions are unequivocally lifesaving for some patients, e.g. the exsanguinating trauma victim, the benefit is less clear-cut for others.
There...
Process optimization
Quality assurance
Article
January 2013
Impact of Quick Diagnosis Unit Integrated in an Emergency Department Setting
BACKGROUND: Hospitals in countries with public health systems have recently adopted organizational changes to improve efficiency and resource allocation, and reducing inappropriate hospitalizations has been established as an important goal, as well as avoiding or buffering overcrowding in Emergency Departments.
AIMS: ...
Process optimization
Point-of-care testing
Glucose
Lactate
Creatinine/urea
Hemoglobins
D-dimer