In article <003801c19edf$506cfca0$2bac7dc2@pcwhj>, John Ryan
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>I would be interested in list members experiences with near patient testing
>for HCG. Do most departments use laboratory/immunology/haematology or use
>point of care testing in the emergency department.
We have an ELISA test strip thingy. Can't remember the name, but can
find out if you want. Our Obs & Gobs types initially advised against it
as "it would be abused", not sure by whom. Cost was also initially used
as an excuse not to have the tests, until someone pointed out that our
labs use exactly the same "near-patient" testing kit for samples we were
sending to the lab, to give a quick "pos or neg" answer. If anyone
desperately wants a quantitative result in international units, the lab
can do the usual assay on serum or urine, but takes an hour+. Our lead
obs and gobs consultant is quite happy that the tests we use give a
reasonably "safe" result on clinical grounds, subject to the usual
precautions regarding false negatives (I believe <1% with our kit).
>(and no comments about staff usage for near patient testing please)
Out of interest, why not? Important topic. Has it already been aired?
Best wishes
Gautam
Dr G Ray
A&E
Sussex
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