One of our Delivery Suites is in the process of getting a new blood gas
analyser and the anaesthetist wants lactate and glucose in addition to
the usual pH and gases, claiming that there's a risk issue.
Guidelines produced by the RCOG and issued by NICE on fetal
monitoring state that the use of fetal scalp lactate estimation is not
associated with a reduction in adverse neonatal or maternal outcomes,
citing research evidence.
Does anyone else provide POCT lactate in this clinical area, and do you
know of any evidence base for its use - in fetus or mother?
There's no problem about providing this if he insists on it. However, it
does add significantly to the running costs of the system, and we should
be looking at both clinical and economic outcomes when advising
clinicians about POCT.
All comments welcome!
Any
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Dr MJ Pearson
Department of Clinical Biochemistry & Immunology
Old Medical School
Leeds General Infirmary (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)
LEEDS LS1 3EX
Tel 0113 392 3945
Fax 0113 233 5672
http://www.leedsteachinghospitals.com
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