scholarly journals Utilisation of laboratory test results for patient management by clinicians at two large referral hospitals in Zambia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabe Mwape ◽  
Victor Daka ◽  
Scott Matafwali ◽  
Kapambwe Mwape ◽  
Jay Sikalima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Patient Management ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Childrens Hospital ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Laboratory Results ◽  
Referral Hospitals

Background Medical laboratory diagnosis is a critical component of patient management in the healthcare setup. Despite the availability of laboratory tests, clinicians may not utilise them to make clinical decisions. We investigated utilsation of laboratory tests for patient management among clinicians at Ndola Teaching Hospital (NTH) and Arthur Davison Childrens Hospital (ADCH), two large referral hospitals in the Copperbelt Province, Ndola, Zambia. Method We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among clinicians. The study deployed self-administered questionnaires to evaluate clinician utilisation, querying and confidence in laboratory results. Additional data on demographics and possible laboratory improvements were also obtained. Data were entered in Microsoft excel and exported to SPSS version 16 for statistical analysis. Results Of the 80 clinicians interviewed, 96.2% (77) reported using laboratory tests and their results in patient management. 77.5% (62) of the clinicians indicated they always used laboratory results to influence their patient management decisions. Of the selected laboratory tests, clinicians were more confident in using haemoglobin test results (91.2%). There was no statistically significant association between the clinicians gender or qualification and use of test results in patient management. Conclusion Our findings show that despite the majority querying laboratory results, most of the clinicians use laboratory results for patient management. There is need for interactions between the laboratory and clinical area to assure clinician confidence in laboratory results. Key words: utilisation, clinicians, laboratory tests, Ndola Teaching Hospital, Arthur Davison Childrens Hospital

scholarly journals Use of laboratory test results in patient management by clinicians in Malawi

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kundai Moyo ◽  
Carol Porter ◽  
Ben Chilima ◽  
Reuben Mwenda ◽  
Mark Kabue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Patient Management ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Laboratory System ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Laboratory Test Results

Background: Malawi has a high burden of infectious disease. The expansion of programmes targeting these diseases requires a strong laboratory infrastructure to support both diagnosis and treatment.Objectives: To assess the use of laboratory test results in patient management and to determine the requirements for improving laboratory services.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 to survey practising clinicians.Two hospitals were purposively selected for observations of clinicians ordering laboratory tests. Twelve management-level key informants were interviewed. Descriptive statistics were conducted.Results: A total of 242 clinicians were identified and 216 (89%) were interviewed. Of these, 189 (87%) reported doubting laboratory test results at some point. Clinicians most often doubted the quality of haematology (67%), followed by malaria (53%) and CD4 (22%) test results. A total of 151 (70%) clinicians reported using laboratory tests results in patient management. Use of laboratory test results at all times in patient management varied by the type of health facility (P < 0.001). Ninety-one percent of clinicians reported that laboratories required infrastructure improvement. During 97 observations of clinicians’ use of laboratory test results, 80 tests were ordered, and 73 (91%) of these were used in patient management. Key informants reported that the quality of laboratory services was good and useful, but that services were often unavailable.Conclusion: Gaps in the public laboratory system were evident. Key recommendations to enhance the use of laboratory test results in patient management were to strengthen the supply chain, reduce turn-around times, improve the test menu and improve the laboratory infrastructure.

scholarly journals Knowledge and attitudes of Saudi medical laboratory professionals concerning non-pathological factors influencing test results

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-240
Author(s):  
Mohammed Makkawi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Management ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Medical Decisions ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Laboratory Results ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Medical Laboratory Professionals

Introduction: Successful medical decisions are highly reliant on medical laboratory results; as such, laboratory results are essential to patient health management, and errors in those results may lead to serious complications and death. The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge of medical laboratory practitioners in Saudi Arabia regarding factors that may influence medical laboratory testing results and the correct actions for troubleshooting. Methods: A total of 256 practitioners participated, representing diverse qualifications and various healthcare sectors. The study utilized a pretested questionnaire comprised of three sections: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes. Results: The responses demonstrated participants to possess outstanding knowledge of factors that may affect laboratory test results, including biological and pathological factors, diet, and personal habits. Furthermore, participants demonstrated satisfactory attitudes toward such factors. Conclusions: Thus, this study reveals a magnificent image concerning Saudi practitioners’ knowledge and capacity for suitable actions given unexpected test results, and hence their ability to provide correct healthcare services. This constitutes an acceptable overview, particularly as a first pass; nonetheless, more studies on larger cohorts remain required.

scholarly journals Utilisation of Laboratory Test Results for Patient Management by Clinicians at Two Large Referral Hospitals in Zambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Sabe Mwape ◽  
Victor Daka ◽  
Scott Kaba Matafwali ◽  
Kapambwe Mwape ◽  
Jay Sikalima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Patient Management ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Referral Hospitals

scholarly journals Reminders of Drug Effects on Laboratory Test Results

2000 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 1395-1400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marita Kailajärvi ◽  
Timo Takala ◽  
Paula Grönroos ◽  
Nils Tryding ◽  
Jorma Viikari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Drug Effects ◽  
Study Drug ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Potential Drug ◽  
Reminder System ◽  
Patient Medication ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Laboratory Results

Abstract Drug effects on laboratory test results are difficult to take into account without an online decision support system. In this study, drug effects on hormone test results were coded using a drug-laboratory effect (DLE) code. The criteria that trigger the reminders were defined. To issue reminders, it was necessary to write a computer program linking the DLE knowledge base with databases containing individual patient medication and laboratory test results. During the first 10 months, 11% of the results from hormone samples were accompanied by one or more DLE reminders. The most common drugs to trigger reminders were glucocorticoids, furosemide, and metoclopramide. Physicians facing the reminders completed a questionnaire on the usefulness of the reminders. All respondents considered them useful. In addition, DLE reminders had caused 74% of respondents to refrain from additional, usually performed examinations. In conclusion, drug effects on laboratory tests should always be considered when interpreting laboratory results. An online reminder system is useful in displaying potential drug effects alongside test results.

Herbal Remedies: Effects on Clinical Laboratory Tests

2006 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amitava Dasgupta ◽  
David W. Bernard
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Abnormal Laboratory ◽  
St John's Wort ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Laboratory Results

AbstractContext.—Complementary and alternative medicine (herbal medicines) can affect laboratory test results by several mechanisms.Objective.—In this review, published reports on effects of herbal remedies on abnormal laboratory test results are summarized and commented on.Data Sources.—All published reports between 1980 and 2005 with the key words herbal remedies or alternative medicine and clinical laboratory test, clinical chemistry test, or drug-herb interaction were searched through Medline. The authors' own publications were also included. Important results were then synthesized.Data Synthesis.—Falsely elevated or falsely lowered digoxin levels may be encountered in a patient taking digoxin and the Chinese medicine Chan Su or Dan Shen, owing to direct interference of a component of Chinese medicine with the antibody used in an immunoassay. St John's wort, a popular herbal antidepressant, increases clearance of many drugs, and abnormally low cyclosporine, digoxin, theophylline, or protease inhibitor concentrations may be observed in a patient taking any of these drugs in combination with St John's wort. Abnormal laboratory results may also be encountered owing to altered pathophysiology. Kava-kava, chaparral, and germander cause liver toxicity, and elevated alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and bilirubin concentrations may be observed in a healthy individual taking such herbal products. An herbal product may be contaminated with a Western drug, and an unexpected drug level (such as phenytoin in a patient who never took phenytoin but took a Chinese herb) may confuse the laboratory staff and the clinician.Conclusions.—Use of alternative medicines may significantly alter laboratory results, and communication among pathologists, clinical laboratory scientists, and physicians providing care to the patient is important in interpreting these results.

Achievements in High Specific-Speed Water Turbines

1934 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 361-407
Author(s):  
A. A. Fulton
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Steady Increase ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Suction Tube ◽  
Generating Sets ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Water Turbine ◽  
Specific Speed ◽  
Water Turbines

The steady increase in the capacity of generating sets created a demand for the high specific-speed turbine which was met by several experimenters. “Specific speed” is the speed at which a turbine will run under unit head when developing unit power, and nowadays a “high specific-speed” water turbine denotes one having a runner of the propeller type and a specific speed between 100 and 230 r.p.m. Difficulties were encountered in the development of propeller turbines, especially in connexion with cavitation. Laboratory tests and the use of visual study methods have played an important part in the solution of these difficulties. The method of fixing suction head in conjunction with laboratory test results is explained, and a comparison is made between the various forms of suction tube in use. Much work has been done to overcome the effects of localized cavitation, and stainless steel has been found to be very effective, especially when runners are cast entirely of that material. A method of operation has been developed to dispense with the use of inlet sluice gates in large machines. Several methods in use for operating the movable runner blades are described. The introduction of the high specific-speed turbine has led to a large increase in the number of automatic stations. The great size attained by these turbines has entailed the construction of equally large generators, the development of which has had its own problems.

scholarly journals European views on patients directly obtaining their laboratory test results

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian D. Watson ◽  
Joanna Siodmiak ◽  
Wytze P. Oosterhuis ◽  
Joel Corberand ◽  
Per E. Jorgensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Technologies ◽  
Clinical Chemistry ◽  
Information Age ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Laboratory Medicine ◽  
European Federation ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Laboratory Results ◽  
Changing Practices

AbstractMedicine is a highly professionalized endeavour, by tradition centred on the authority of physicians. Better education and the advent of the information age cater for increased demands on society in general and on health care in particular to enable people to make informed decisions regarding themselves. Participation in medical decisions requires informed knowledge which is hard to obtain without substantial and time consuming professional help.We performed a survey amongst the member organizations of European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) in order to investigate the recognition and preparedness of providing help to patients in interpreting their laboratory results.Out of 40 EFLM Member Societies, 27 sent their responses to the survey. In most cases the first line delivery of laboratory results to physicians is by computer link (63%). Patients receive their laboratory results on demand from their physician in 60% of cases. However, 34% of laboratory specialists showed a negative attitude for delivering laboratory results to patients. Yet, in 48% of countries 1–5 patients per day ask a laboratory specialist about the significance of laboratory results outside the reference range. When patients are informed about the purpose of laboratory testing, they seek information primarily from their physician, followed by the internet and the Specialist in Laboratory Medicine.Changing practices increasingly enabling patient access to their records are on the increase facilitated by recent innovations in information technologies. Successful transfer of some of the responsibilities of physicians, demands a mutual triangular dialogue between the patient, their physician and laboratory medicine.

Psychological empowerment of health professionals

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (spe) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Gomes Salles ◽  
Flávia Carvalho Pena Dias ◽  
Samantha Perissotto ◽  
Juliane Custódio de Andrade ◽  
Ariane Polidoro Dini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Psychological Empowerment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Brazilian Version ◽  
Post Test

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess whether there are differences in psychological empowerment between different health professionals working in a teaching hospital. Method: A comparative, quantitative, and cross-sectional study carried out with 165 professionals selected at random and who worked in a teaching hospital in the inland of the state of São Paulo. The participants were divided into three groups: 1) nurses, 2) physicians, and 3) other professionals (physiotherapists, psychologists, pharmacists, speech therapists, social workers, and nutritionists). For data collection, a form was used to characterize the sample, as well as the Brazilian version of the Psychological Empowerment Instrument. To compare the scores between the three groups, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used, followed by Dunn' post-test. Results: Nurses, physicians, and other professionals scored 71.4; 69.3, and 71.1 points (p=0.5959), respectively, in the total score of the instrument Conclusion: There are no statistically significant differences in the perception of psychological empowerment of different health professionals. Conclusion: There are no statistically significant differences in the perception of psychological empowerment of different health professionals.

scholarly journals Unit conversions between LOINC codes

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald G Hauser ◽  
Douglas B Quine ◽  
Alex Ryder ◽  
Sheldon Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Data Aggregation ◽  
Controlled Vocabulary ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Computational Process ◽  
Clinical Tests ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Laboratory Results ◽  
Sodium Magnesium

Abstract Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) is the most widely used controlled vocabulary to identify laboratory tests. A given laboratory test can often be reported in more than 1 unit of measure (eg, grams or moles), and LOINC defines unique codes for each unit. Consequently, an identical laboratory test performed by 2 different clinical laboratories may have different LOINC codes. The absence of unit conversions between compatible LOINC codes impedes data aggregation and analysis of laboratory results. To develop such conversions, a computational process was developed to review the LOINC standard for potential conversions, and multiple expert reviewers oversaw and finalized the conversion list. In all, 285 bidirectional conversions were identified, including conversions for routine clinical tests such as sodium, magnesium, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Unit conversions were applied to the aggregation of laboratory test results to demonstrate their usefulness. Diverse informatics projects may benefit from the ability to interconvert compatible results.

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