A New Blood Test to Detect Very Low Risk of Heart Attack. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh in the U.K. have developed a new highly sensitive blood test that can safely rule out heart attacks in about two-thirds of patients who are evaluated in the emergency department (ED) for chest pain. Chest pain, one of the major symptoms of a heart attack, makes up a significant proportion of emergency department (ED) attendances.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 43 seconds, someone in the United States has a heart attack. The condition occurs when a part of the heart muscle does not receive enough blood flow. Reports indicate that the number of hospital admissions due to chest pain has tripled during the last two decades. The majority of chest pain patients are admitted to the hospital for further assessment. But the overwhelming majority of these patients do not have a heart attack. Now the new blood test has changed all that. (Visited 20 times, 5 visits today) Finger Prick Blood Test Results Vary From Drop To Drop. In addition to being patient-friendly, fingerprick blood tests are an important tool for health care providers.
They frequently used in point-of-care and low-resource settings. However, a Rice University study has found that fingerprick test results can vary significantly from drop to drop. The researchers say that at least six to nine drops of blood are necessary for consistent measurements of hemoglobin, white blood cells and platelets. Fingersticks are generally performed on children and the elderly, when only a small amount of blood (less than 500 μg) would suffice for the test.
Examples of tests which use capillary blood samples are those to measure blood sugar, mononucleosis, hemoglobin levels, and genetic testing. The Rice University researchers examined the variation between blood drops drawn from a single fingerprick and found that results were not consistent. Six successive 20-microliter droplets of blood were drawn from 11 donors. (Visited 14 times, 10 visits today) Measures to Promote Safety in Clinical Laboratories. Lab testing is the standard part of diagnosing various types of diseases. However, the laboratory can be a hazardous environment to work in unless there are appropriate safety policies and procedures in place. The emergence of highly infectious diseases such as Ebola, hepatitis and HIV, has made health and safety in clinical laboratories an increasingly important topic. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed laboratory standards aimed at reducing the risk of injury or illness to laboratory workers by ensuring that they have the information, lab equipment, training and support required to work safely.
Let’s take a look at some of the recommended measures to promote safety in clinical and research laboratories. Top quality lab instruments have greatly reduced risks in laboratory operations. (Visited 13 times, 11 visits today) Tips to Optimize Medical Laboratory Operations. Medical laboratory reports provide physicians with essential clues about the patient’s health, guiding them towards a more detailed investigation for proper diagnosis and appropriate management of an existing medical condition. With the increased demand for lab tests, laboratories worldwide are looking for ways to reduce costs, improve response times, and streamline operations. While a lot depends on procuring quality laboratory equipment at competitive rates, the following measures can go a long way in improving laboratory efficiency and workflow.
Choose the right centrifuge – With the major role that the centrifuge plays in lab operations, you need to ensure that you have the most suitable device for your applications. Models vary from the large floor variety to the bench-top. (Visited 15 times, 9 visits today) Cutting-edge Lab Equipment for Clinical Chemistry Testing. Clinical chemistry analyzers test for analytes such as proteins, enzymes, and electrolytes in serum, plasma and urine samples and help in the diagnosis of various diseases such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, hepatitis, and kidney disorders. With technological advancements, modern automated instruments ensure greater accuracy and increased testing speed. Leading manufacturers offer chemistry analyzers in various models – fully automated benchtop units to very large floor models – to manage a wide range of sample workloads. Modern analyzers use various technologies such as absorbance photometry, turbidimetry, ion selective potentiometry, latex agglutination and homogeneous EIA (Enzyme Immunoassay) to analyze samples.
Top Models of Clinical Chemistry Analyzers Leading dealers in lab equipment offer both new and recertified clinical chemistry analyzers. Recertified instruments are a feasible option for labs with budget constraints. (Visited 13 times, 12 visits today) Medica EasyRA for Small to Medium-size Clinical Laboratories. Most laboratories need advanced clinical chemistry analyzers to analyze samples of serum, plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and other bodily fluids. Medica Corporation’s EasyRA is proven to be an ideal choice. Specially designed to meet the on-site testing needs of small to medium-size medical laboratories, Medica EasyRA is a fully automated clinical chemistry analyzer that enables practices to deliver accurate results and improved patient care.
Its four color-coded chapters guide the technician through all analyzer functions. An easy choice for your laboratory’s clinical chemistry analysis needs, EasyRA comes with features such as 150 tests per hour (>300 with integrated ISE), 24 sample positions, 24 reagents on board, and more. This benchtop analyzer helps lab professionals analyze stat samples at any time with typical stat results in less than 8 minutes. Easy-to-use, this analyzer has the following advantages- (Visited 19 times, 8 visits today) DCA Vantage for Fast, Accurate Diabetes Testing.
Effective instruments to monitor glycemic control and diabetes complications make consultations easier. The DCA Vantage Analyzer by Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is specifically designed to meet this goal. This FDA-approved point-of-care immunoassay system for diabetes management delivers accurate clinically relevant HbA1c and A:C ratio results to improve decision-making, patient compliance, and treatment outcomes.
Using the DCA 2000 reagent kit, this analyzer can measure HbA1c within 6 minutes from just a small (1uL) whole blood sample. Tests showed that this reagent kit shows 99% agreement with the HPLC method. Ideal for use in various environments such as the physician office and point-of-care coordinated sites in hospitals and multisite practices, this point-of-care analyzer comes with customizable security access modes to support up to 1,000 operators, protects patient information and prevent operation by unauthorized users. (Visited 20 times, 15 visits today)
Popular Point-of-care Analyzer Models. Point-of-care testing (POCT) has become an important part of patient care at many health care facilities. Point-of-care analyzers bring testing to the patient’s bedside, providing quick results to improve care and outcomes and maximize office efficiencies. Real-time diagnostics allow physicians to diagnose patient conditions faster, develop appropriate treatment plans, improve outcomes, patient safety and satisfaction, and enhance workflow and productivity.
In addition to the physician’s office, POC devices are ideal for use in emergency settings, hospitals, ambulances, homes, and in the field. Quality Hand-held POC Analyzers Abaxis Piccolo Xpress – The only portable diagnostic device to offer a full complement of CLIA waived blood chemistry tests at the point-of-care, this analyzer allows healthcare providers to process whole blood, serum, and plasma samples in self-contained, single-use reagent discs.
Lab equipment dealers in NY offer recertified models of point-of-care analyzers. Available Hospital Equipment For Sale | KenQuest Medical.