Dec 14, 2011 | Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Management & Operations
Clinical trial demonstrated value of genetic point-of-care testing and a rapid time to result
Here’s a milestone in genetic testing that should catch the attention of pathologists and clinical laboratory managers everywhere. It is a point-of-care (POC) genetic test that is reliable enough to be used in a clinical trial.
The clinical trial was called RAPID GENE. It was conducted at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI). The study enrolled 200 patients who were being treated with cardiac stenting for an acute coronary syndrome or stable angina. What made this study unique is that—for the first time in medicine—it used a point-of-care (POC) genetic test. The genetic POCT was used to overcome many previous obstacles that had prevented use of more routine clinical genetic testing.
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Jan 24, 2011 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
It’s All About “Apps” as Physicians Rush to Adopt iPads for Use in Clinical Settings
Evidence is building that iPads are a hit with physicians. Experts are astonished at the rate at which physicians are adopting iPads for their daily clinical practice. That means every clinical laboratory and anatomic pathology group in the United States will need a strategy on how to allow physicians to use their iPads to order medical laboratory tests and view lab results.
One secret as to how clinical laboratories can serve physicians using iPads is to offer them an “app.” Physicians are more intrigued with the apps that can run on the iPad than they are with the hardware itself, according to a recent survey. Even a growing number of hospitals are adopting iPads for use in clinical settings.
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Jan 7, 2011 | Uncategorized
Japanese Researchers Used Fluorescence to Accurately Measure Blood Glucose Levels in Mice
In Japan, researchers are developing a new in vivo diagnostic test technology that can monitor blood glucose in real time. Pathologists and clinical laboratory managers will quickly grasp the implications of these implantable, fluorescable microbeads that can be used to accurately and continuously measure blood sugar levels.
The Japanese researchers created tiny microbeads that glow when in contact with glucose. The beads are small enough to be injected directly into the blood stream and respond rapidly when glucose levels change. According the Shoji Takeuchi, lead researcher at the University of Tokyo’s Life Bio Electromechanical Autonomous Nano Systems Center, the microbeads are uniquely qualified to monitor diabetics’ blood sugar levels. (more…)
Sep 16, 2009 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
More sophistication and performance in new POCT and monitoring systems for home use
Efforts to increase patient home self-testing and monitoring continue to pay off. Two new products for point-of-care (POC) health tests and patient home monitoring recently entered the marketplace. Both systems are devices that enable healthcare professionals to remotely monitor patients with chronic illnesses.
Separately, UK-based The Jaltek Group and Sweden-based Ericsson each introduced wireless monitoring systems worn by patients at home or in healthcare facilities. These systems improve patients’ quality of life by continuously monitoring their vital signs while allowing free movement. These devices also avoid the need for frequent trips to the doctor and may lower health care costs.
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Aug 31, 2009 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Early example of how in-store walk-up clinics may expand their lab testing services
Pathologists concerned that in-store walk-up clinics might become important laboratory testing centers will be interested to learn about the latest development. The largest operator of these in-store clinics has just partnered with an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) manufacturer for exclusive access to a new rapid diagnostic test.
MinuteClinic, the pioneer and largest operator of in-store health clinics, has a deal with Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc. (RPS), a Sarasota, Fla.-based biotechnology company, to offer the RPS Adeno Detector test for conjunctivitis, or pink eye. This new point-of-care (POC) test will be initially offered at the MinuteClinics located in 23 CVS pharmacy stores in the Atlanta area.
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