Laboratory testing during critical care transport: point-of-care testing in air ambulances
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Francesca Di Serio
Abstract
Air and ground transport are used for prehospital transport of patients in acute life-threatening situations, and increasingly, critically ill patients undergo interhospital transportation. Results from clinical studies suggest that critical tests performed during the transport of critically ill patients presents a potential opportunity to improve patient care. Our project was to identify, according to the recommendations published at this time, a model of point-of-care testing (POCT) (arterial blood gases analysis and glucose, sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, hematocrit/hemoglobin measurements) in air ambulances. In order to identify the key internal and external factors that are important to achieving our objective, an analysis of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT analysis) was incorporated into our planning model prior to starting the project. To allow the entire POCT process (pre-, intra-, and post-analytic steps) to be under the control of the reference laboratory, an experimental model of information technology was applied. Real-time results during transport of critically ill patients must be considered to be an integral part of the patient care process and excellent channels of communication are needed between the intensive care units, emergency medical services and laboratories. With technological and computer advances, POCT during critical care transport will certainly increase in the future: this will be a challenge from a laboratory and clinical context.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:955–61.
©2010 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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- Foreword
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- Letter to the Editor
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Articles in the same Issue
- HIGHLIGHT: LABORATORY DIAGNOSTICS IN THE THIRD MILLENIUM: WHERE, HOW AND WHY
- Editorial
- Foreword
- Reviews
- Roots, development and future directions of laboratory medicine
- The “hospital central laboratory”: automation, integration and clinical usefulness
- Clinical pathology services: remapping our strategic itinerary
- Stat laboratory testing: integration or autonomy?
- Point-of-care testing in critical care: the clinician's point of view
- Reproductive-endocrine point-of-care testing: current status and limitations
- Laboratory testing in pharmacies
- Laboratory testing during critical care transport: point-of-care testing in air ambulances
- Self-monitoring of blood glucose with a focus on analytical quality: an overview
- Molecular diagnostics: between chips and customized medicine
- Evaluating laboratory diagnostic tests and translational research
- Integrated diagnostics: a conceptual framework with examples
- General Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
- The European Register of Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine: Guide to the Register, Version 3-2010
- The prevalence of preanalytical errors in a Croatian ISO 15189 accredited laboratory
- Indicators and quality specifications for strategic and support processes related to the clinical laboratory: four years' experience
- SKML-Quality Mark for point-of-care test (POCT) glucose meters and glucose meters for home-use
- PATHFAST™ NT-proBNP (N-terminal-pro B type natriuretic peptide): a multicenter evaluation of a new point-of-care assay
- Clinical implication of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) concentrations in patients with advanced carotid atherosclerosis
- Evaluation of the TEST 1 erythrocyte sedimentation rate system and intra- and inter-laboratory quality control using new latex control materials
- Letter to the Editor
- Phlebotomy site haemolysis rates vary inversely with workload
