What would be the cost to the Trust of a "missed" paracetamol overdose or a
delay in treatment resulting in liver failure as a result of using an
imperfect and imperfectly assessed NPT test for paracetamol in the A/E
department? Further, what is the cost of giving parvolex inappropriately to
a patient who then has an adverse reaction?
Probably a lot more than the cost of giving you a vacuum tube system from
A&E to the lab!
Robert Forrest
-----Original Message-----
From: Clinical biochemistry discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Eric Hindle
Sent: 11 September 2003 08:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: NPT for paracetamol/salicylate
In A/E departments, waiting time targets are pretty tight and we have been
working with our A/E to look at possible ways of speeding the throughput of
OD patients. This has been 'stimulated' to some extent by an approach to
A/E to consider using a rapid test strip (EUROMED DIAGNOSTICS) which
produces results 'within 5 to 8 minutes(negative results may appear
sooner)'.
The representative has told A/E staff that 'it can detect paracetamol
within 20 minutes of ingestion'.....(but can't provide me with the
evidence); this doesn't make much sense to me.
I have been provided with a list of users (including my own hospital!!!
where it has been looked at very briefly but is certainly NOT 'in use').
Some other listed users are the Royal London, Maudsley Hospital, Northwick
Park, Lewisham, St Helier, Wexham Park, St Mary's Paddington, Charing
Cross, Southampton and several hospitals in Ireland. I wonder if this
information is correct and are the laboratories there aware of this, is it
just the A/E departments working independently, or is it just spin?
Does anyone have experience of this kit? Are the companies claims correct?
Should we be going down this route at all, (and I realise this has been
discussed previously)?
Eric Hindle
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------ACB discussion List Information--------
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community working in clinical biochemistry.
Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed
via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and
they are responsible for all message content.
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