scholarly journals First international quality control programme for laboratories measuring antimicrobial drugs to support dose individualization in critically ill patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Wallenburg ◽  
R J Brüggemann ◽  
K Asouit ◽  
M Teulen ◽  
A F J de Haan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Antimicrobial Drugs ◽  
Dose Individualization ◽  
Acceptable Accuracy ◽  
Spiked Plasma ◽  
Quality Control Programme

Abstract Objectives International quality control (proficiency testing) programmes are instituted to safeguard the analytical performance of laboratories and to aid these laboratories in identifying sources of error in their analytical methods. We describe the first international quality control programme for antimicrobial agents that are frequently used in critically ill patients. Methods Spiked plasma samples with ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, flucloxacillin, piperacillin, sulfamethoxazole, N-acetyl sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim were shipped to 22 laboratories from eight different countries. Acceptable accuracy by the performing laboratory was defined if measurements were within 80%–120% limits of the true weighed-in concentrations. Results A total of 81% of the measurements (ranging between 56% and 100%, dependent on drug) were within the 80%–120% limits of the true weighed-in concentrations. Conclusions We found a relatively good performance of the participating laboratories in measuring eight different antimicrobial drugs. Nevertheless, some of the antimicrobial drugs were not measured properly as up to 44% of the measurements was inaccurate depending on the drug. Our results emphasize the need for and utility of an ongoing quality control programme.

Need of quality control programme when using near‐infrared human milk analyzers

2016 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Fusch ◽  
Celia Kwan ◽  
Ruo Chen Huang ◽  
Niels Rochow ◽  
Christoph Fusch
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Quality Control Programme

Candidiasis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett A Melnikoff ◽  
René P Myers
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Ventricular Assist Devices ◽  
Transplant Recipients ◽  
Ventricular Assist ◽  
Disseminated Candidiasis ◽  
Candida Infections

Fungal infections remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in surgical settings, with critically ill patients, transplant recipients, and sick neonates all especially vulnerable. Over the past few decades, technological and scientific advancements have improved physicians’ ability to sustain life in critically ill patients; developments in chemotherapeutics and immune-based therapies have yielded increased survival for many cancer patients; organ transplantation has evolved dramatically; and the use of invasive therapies (eg, ventricular assist devices) has increased markedly. With these changes has come an increase in the incidence of serious Candida infections. This review covers the definition and classification, epidemiology and risk factors, and clinical evaluation of candidiasis, as well as management of candidemia, acute disseminated candidiasis, nonhematogenous candidiasis, and peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscess. Figures show Candida endophthalmitis in patients with persistent fungemia and superficial candidiasis in the gastrointestinal tract. Tables list clinical presentation and diagnostic methods for common fungal infections, antimicrobial agents of choice for candidal infections, and the latest guidelines for candidiasis. This review contains 2 figures, 3 tables and 131 references Key words: acute disseminated candidiasis, candidemia, candidiasis, candiduria, nonhematogenous candidiasis  

Use of the Reference Method for Determination of Serum Calcium in a Quality-Assurance Survey

1975 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1416-1421 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F Pickup ◽  
Malcolm J Jackson ◽  
E Margaret Price ◽  
Michael J R Healy ◽  
Stanley S Brown
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Continuous Flow ◽  
Reference Method ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Total Calcium ◽  
Small Constant ◽  
Constant Bias ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Quality Control Programme

Abstract The Reference Method [Clin. Chem. 19, 1208 (1973)] for determination of total calcium in serum has been applied to 29 specimens from the Wellcome Group Quality-Control Programme. The accuracy of the mean resuIts for all participants, and for selected groups of participants, was determined over the concentration range 2.00-2.75 mmol/liter. We show that, in general, continuous-flow (AutoAnalyzer) and atomic absorption methods of analysis have a small, constant bias, but chelation (ethylenediaminetetraacetate) methods are unpredictably inaccurate.

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