Hi Karen
I have recently been involved in a comparison study of TCBs in our trust ahead of our community midwives using such devices. We found the reproducibility of results to be woeful, and the comparison with the laboratory showed a marked negative bias (not good to underestimate the bili) compared to lab results. This could lead to patients not being readmitted when necessary. I am not sure whether to share the manufacturer's name with you in this forum, but we are now looking at a second device which is more expensive to run.
Our clinical lead for POCT had already heard that these devices were not accurate but we decided to try anyway. The NICE guidelines do not appear to have taken the performance of the meter into full consideration and I have advised our NICU equipment committee that the guidelines should not be implemented until we can show that this device is effective and will reduce patients being readmitted with ?jaundice unnecessarily.
Regards
Tony Cambridge
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