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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 ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical 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. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/