Why measure specific gravity anyway ?
The occasional measurement of urine osmolality in specific patients is far
more sense.
I remember checking out a visual multistix with"SG" in the early 80s but
have no recent experience with the strip reader. There was virtually no
response from urea or glucose as would be expected. On normal, non
pathological, individuals there was good correlation between the strip "SG"
and true SG and osmolality. Once there was glucose present in excess it was
a different matter ! We had prolonged discussions with the manufacturer
but could not get the product banned from the market on the trades
description act. (manufacturers name availble on request)
At the time we managed to stop the use of the 10 test multistix in the
hospital (The Westminster, London). Instead a five test urine stick, (Hb,
glucose, albumin + ?) was put into general use with just the
albumin/glucose stick in areas such as Antenatal saving several thousand
pounds per annum - at least enough for another nurse or MLSO at the time.
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