scholarly journals Laboratory Technologies in Independent Medical Laboratories and Analysis of Its Resource Cost

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Medical Laboratories ◽  
Medical Tests ◽  
Medical Market ◽  
Resource Cost ◽  
Reducing Costs ◽  
Laboratory Technology ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Important Basis

Medical laboratory technology is an important basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. However, due to problems such as idle resources and high testing costs in laboratories of large hospitals, independent medical laboratory emerged. The independent medical laboratory can independently perform medical tests outside the hospital and can effectively share resources, with low cost and strong specificity. In this study, the advantages of an independent medical laboratory were analyzed to suggest its significance, then the laboratory technologies and resource costs in laboratories were analyzed, some suggestions were put forward for improving technologies and reducing costs, and finally the prospects for the development of the independent medical laboratory was discussed briefly. This work has values for promoting the good development of independent laboratory and the further development of the medical market.

scholarly journals Comparison of regression for blood ALP levels using methods of the Japan Society of Clinical Chemistry and the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in bovine, canine, feline, and human testing

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253396
Author(s):  
Akihisa Hata ◽  
Noboru Fujitani ◽  
Masahiro Takeshita ◽  
Chie Tanaka ◽  
Noriko Matsuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Clinical Chemistry ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Laboratory Medicine ◽  
International Federation ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Japan Society ◽  
Medical Laboratories ◽  
Laboratory Technology

Livestock and companion animal health have a direct impact on human health. Research on clinical laboratory technology for veterinary medicine is as important as that on human laboratory technology. Reagents and analysis equipment for human medical laboratory tests are often used in veterinary medicine. Medical laboratories in Japan utilize the Japan Society of Clinical Chemistry (JSCC) method for blood alkaline phosphatase (ALP) analysis. The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) method is used worldwide for ALP catalytic concentration measurement. When the IFCC method is used, human blood ALP activity is approximately one-third of the JSCC method’s activity. The JSCC method for ALP measurement was switched to the IFCC method in medical laboratories in Japan in April 2020 for global standardization purpose. It is uncertain whether conventional JSCC method reagents will continue to be supplied. In veterinary medicine, the relationship between the JSCC and IFCC methods in terms of ALP measurement is almost unclear. This study investigated the regression between JSCC and IFCC methods measuring ALP in bovine, canine, feline, and human. The regression formulas for bovine, canine, feline, and human ALP values using the conventional JSCC (x) and IFCC (y) methods are y = 0.379x + 0.124, y = 0.289x + 8.291, y = 0.358x + 0.432, and y = 0.337x + 2.959, respectively. These results suggested that the IFCC method measurement could be estimated by approximately one-third of the JSCC method measurement in animal species such as bovine, canine, and feline. By applying the conversion factors proposed in this study, a very good correlation could be obtained between the two methods for each animal.

Quality management in medical laboratories

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (02) ◽  
pp. 55-62
Author(s):  
M. Fritzer-Szekeres
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Quality Management Systems ◽  
Iso 17025 ◽  
Iso 15189 ◽  
Medical Laboratories ◽  
Systems Quality ◽  
Standard Iso 15189

SummaryDuring the 20th century understanding for quality has changed and international and national requirements for quality have been published. Therefore also medical branches started to establish quality management systems. Quality assurance has always been important for medical laboratories. Certification according to the standard ISO 9001 and accreditation according to the standard ISO 17025 have been the proof of fulfilling quality requirements. The relatively new standard ISO 15189 is the first standard for medical laboratories. This standard includes technical and management requirements for the medical laboratory. The main focus is the proof of competence within the personnel. As this standard is accepted throughout the European Union an increase in accreditations of medical laboratories is predictable.

scholarly journals Simultaneously Regulating Uniform Zn2+ Flux and Electron Conduction by MOF/rGO Interlayers for High-Performance Zn Anodes

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziqi Wang ◽  
Liubing Dong ◽  
Weiyuan Huang ◽  
Hao Jia ◽  
Qinghe Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Surface Passivation ◽  
Coulombic Efficiency ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Metal Organic Framework ◽  
Growth Surface ◽  
Electron Conduction ◽  
Reduced Graphene ◽  
Metal Organic ◽  
Further Development

AbstractOwing to the merits of low cost, high safety and environmental benignity, rechargeable aqueous Zn-based batteries (ZBs) have gained tremendous attention in recent years. Nevertheless, the poor reversibility of Zn anodes that originates from dendrite growth, surface passivation and corrosion, severely hinders the further development of ZBs. To tackle these issues, here we report a Janus separator based on a Zn-ion conductive metal–organic framework (MOF) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), which is able to regulate uniform Zn2+ flux and electron conduction simultaneously during battery operation. Facilitated by the MOF/rGO bifunctional interlayers, the Zn anodes demonstrate stable plating/stripping behavior (over 500 h at 1 mA cm−2), high Coulombic efficiency (99.2% at 2 mA cm−2 after 100 cycles) and reduced redox barrier. Moreover, it is also found that the Zn corrosion can be effectively retarded through diminishing the potential discrepancy on Zn surface. Such a separator engineering also saliently promotes the overall performance of Zn|MnO2 full cells, which deliver nearly 100% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 4 A g−1 and high power density over 10 kW kg−1. This work provides a feasible route to the high-performance Zn anodes for ZBs.

scholarly journals A Proposal of a Motion Measurement System to Support Visually Impaired People in Rehabilitation Using Low-Cost Inertial Sensors

Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 848
Author(s):  
Karla Miriam Reyes Leiva ◽  
Milagros Jaén-Vargas ◽  
Miguel Ángel Cuba ◽  
Sergio Sánchez Lara ◽  
José Javier Serrano Olmedo
Keyword(s):  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Inertial Sensors ◽  
Personal Autonomy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Hand Position ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Impaired Person ◽  
Further Development

The rehabilitation of a visually impaired person (VIP) is a systematic process where the person is provided with tools that allow them to deal with the impairment to achieve personal autonomy and independence, such as training for the use of the long cane as a tool for orientation and mobility (O&M). This process must be trained personally by specialists, leading to a limitation of human, technological and structural resources in some regions, especially those with economical narrow circumstances. A system to obtain information about the motion of the long cane and the leg using low-cost inertial sensors was developed to provide an overview of quantitative parameters such as sweeping coverage and gait analysis, that are currently visually analyzed during rehabilitation. The system was tested with 10 blindfolded volunteers in laboratory conditions following constant contact, two points touch, and three points touch travel techniques. The results indicate that the quantification system is reliable for measuring grip rotation, safety zone, sweeping amplitude and hand position using orientation angles with an accuracy of around 97.62%. However, a new method or an improvement of hardware must be developed to improve gait parameters’ measurements, since the step length measurement presented a mean accuracy of 94.62%. The system requires further development to be used as an aid in the rehabilitation process of the VIP. Now, it is a simple and low-cost technological aid that has the potential to improve the current practice of O&M.

scholarly journals Recent Developments of Antimony-Based Anodes for Sodium- and Potassium-Ion Batteries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bochao Chen ◽  
Ming Liang ◽  
Qingzhao Wu ◽  
Shan Zhu ◽  
Naiqin Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Potassium Ion ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Weak Charge ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
High Theoretical Capacity ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Sodium And Potassium

AbstractThe development of sodium-ion (SIBs) and potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) has increased rapidly because of the abundant resources and cost-effectiveness of Na and K. Antimony (Sb) plays an important role in SIBs and PIBs because of its high theoretical capacity, proper working voltage, and low cost. However, Sb-based anodes have the drawbacks of large volume changes and weak charge transfer during the charge and discharge processes, thus leading to poor cycling and rapid capacity decay. To address such drawbacks, many strategies and a variety of Sb-based materials have been developed in recent years. This review systematically introduces the recent research progress of a variety of Sb-based anodes for SIBs and PIBs from the perspective of composition selection, preparation technologies, structural characteristics, and energy storage behaviors. Moreover, corresponding examples are presented to illustrate the advantages or disadvantages of these anodes. Finally, we summarize the challenges of the development of Sb-based materials for Na/K-ion batteries and propose potential research directions for their further development.

ISO/TS 20914:2019 – a critical commentary

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 1182-1190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Farrance ◽  
Robert Frenkel ◽  
Tony Badrick
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Uncertainty ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
International Normalized Ratio ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Uncertainty In Measurement ◽  
Medical Laboratories ◽  
Functional Relationships ◽  
Critical Commentary ◽  
Combined Uncertainty ◽  
Expression Of Uncertainty

AbstractThe long-anticipated ISO/TS 20914, Medical laboratories – Practical guidance for the estimation of measurement uncertainty, became publicly available in July 2019. This ISO document is intended as a guide for the practical application of estimating uncertainty in measurement (measurement uncertainty) in a medical laboratory. In some respects, the guide does indeed meet many of its stated objectives with numerous very detailed examples. Even though it is claimed that this ISO guide is based on the Evaluation of measurement data – Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM), JCGM 100:2008, it is with some concern that we believe several important statements and statistical procedures are incorrect, with others potentially misleading. The aim of this report is to highlight the major concerns which we have identified. In particular, we believe the following items require further comment: (1) The use of coefficient of variation and its potential for misuse requires clarification, (2) pooled variance and measurement uncertainty across changes in measuring conditions has been oversimplified and is potentially misleading, (3) uncertainty in the results of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) do not include all known uncertainties, (4) the international normalized ratio (INR) calculation is incorrect, (5) the treatment of bias uncertainty is considered problematic, (6) the rules for evaluating combined uncertainty in functional relationships are incomplete, and (7) specific concerns with some individual statements.

Examining Exclusionary Conduct of HMOs and PPOs: A Case Comment on Northwest Medical Laboratories v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oregon

1991 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-288
Author(s):  
Debra M. Levitt
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Industry ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Court Of Appeals ◽  
Medical Laboratories ◽  
Care Industry ◽  
Antitrust Analysis ◽  
Blue Shield

As the climate of the health care industry has changed to one of cost-containment and competition through the growth of HMOs and PPOs, health care providers have become the subjects of antitrust litigation. One such case, Northwest Medical Laboratories v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oregon, involved a medical laboratory and a radiology center who claimed that they were victims of an illegal group boycott after defendant's pre-paid health plan denied them preferred provider status. The Oregon Court of Appeals, using the traditional antitrust analysis applied to other industries for decades, failed to consider the intricacies that exist within the health care industry. This result led to an inaccurate market share computation and an inadequate rule of reason analysis. This Comment examines the shortcomings of the Northwest Medical opinion and argues that, in applying the antitrust laws to the health care industry, courts in future cases must recognize and respect the unique features of the business of providing health care.

Organization of the work of the medical laboratory service in accordance with the requirements of the standard GOST ISO 15189–2015 «Medical laboratories. Particular requirements for quality and competence»

2020 ◽  
pp. 15-22
Author(s):  
Elena Vitalievna Perminova
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Laboratory Diagnostics ◽  
Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory ◽  
Diagnostic Laboratory ◽  
Iso 15189 ◽  
Laboratory Service ◽  
Medical Laboratories

Clinical laboratory diagnostics is a medical specialty, which is based on in vitro diagnostic studies of biomaterial obtained from an individual. At the present stage, there are three main types of organization of the laboratory research process — a laboratory service as part of a medical and preventive institution, a centralized laboratory where biomaterials are delivered for research from various healthcare institutions, as well as mobile laboratories that allow conducting the research directly at the patient’s bedside. This discipline involves the use of a wide variety of diagnostic research methods and the use of a huge number of specific techniques. Their list should include carrying out hematological, microbiological, virological, immunological, serological, parasitic, and biochemical studies. Also, when organizing laboratory diagnostic activities, a number of other studies (cytological, histological, toxicological, genetic, molecular biological, etc.) are provided. A laboratory report is formulated after obtaining clinical data and comparing them with the obtained test results. The quality of laboratory tests is ensured through the systematic implementation of internal laboratory control, as well as participation in a national program for external quality assessment. The activities of the clinical diagnostic laboratory should be organized in accordance with the requirements of the standard GOST R ISO 15189–2015 «Medical laboratories. Particular requirements for quality and competence», which is based on the provisions of two more fundamental standards — ISO 9001 and ISO 17025, and adds a number of special requirements related to medical laboratories.

scholarly journals Documenting metrological traceability as intended by ISO 15189:2012: A consensus statement about the practice of the implementation and auditing of this norm element

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Thelen ◽  
Florent Vanstapel ◽  
Pika Meško Brguljan ◽  
Bernard Gouget ◽  
Guilaine Boursier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metrological Traceability ◽  
Measurement Procedure ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
End User ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Iso 15189 ◽  
Value Assignment ◽  
Traceability Chain ◽  
Medical Laboratories

Abstract ISO15189:2012 requires medical laboratories to document metrological traceability of their results. While the ISO17511:2003 standard on metrological traceability in laboratory medicine requires the use of the highest available level in the traceability chain, it recognizes that for many measurands there is no reference above the manufacturer’s selected measurement procedure and the manufacturer’s working calibrator. Some immunoassays, although they intend to measure the same quantity and may even refer to the same reference material, unfortunately produce different results because of differences in analytical selectivity as manufacturers select different epitopes and antibodies for the same analyte. In other cases, the cause is the use of reference materials, which are not commutable. The uncertainty associated with the result is another important aspect in metrological traceability implementation. As the measurement uncertainty on the clinical samples is influenced by the uncertainty of all steps higher in the traceability chain, laboratories should be provided with adequate and appropriate information on the uncertainty of the value assignment to the commercial calibrators that they use. Although the between-lot variation in value assignment will manifest itself as part of the long-term imprecision as estimated by the end-user, information on worst-case to be expected lot-lot variation has to be communicated to the end-user by the IVD provider. When laboratories use ancillary equipment that potentially could have a critical contribution to the reported results, such equipment needs verification of its proper calibration and criticality to the result uncertainty could be assessed by an approach based on risk analysis, which is a key element of ISO15189:2012 anyway. This paper discusses how the requirement for metrological traceability as stated in ISO15189 should be met by the medical laboratory and how this should be assessed by accreditation bodies.

scholarly journals Low-cost air traffic as a determinant of tourism development

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 43-57
Author(s):  
Filip Bugarčić ◽  
Marijana Bugarčić
Keyword(s):  
Information Technologies ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Air Transport ◽  
Passenger Transport ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Global Trend ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Further Development

Air transport as an organized form of service provision, especially in passenger transport, can be important for increasing the number of foreign tourists. Globalization and the development of information technologies have contributed to the development of the business model of airlines, which has enabled a significant reduction in the cost of air travel and the accelerated development of this industry. Therefore, the emphasis is placed on the global trend of development of low-cost airlines, their way of doing business and the effects they have on the development of tourism. The increase in the number of low-budget airlines has multiple effects on the development of international tourism and passenger transport due to cheaper transport, which is made possible by improving the competitiveness of air transport after its deregulation. In addition, lower prices and a better logistical position can contribute to an increase in the number of foreign tourists and a higher income for this industry, as well as other related economic activities. The aim of this paper is to examine through theoretical and empirical insight whether there is an impact of low-cost airlines on the volume of air traffic and the intensity of passenger transport, with an emphasis on existing literature, as well as empirical confirmation on the example of Serbia. The conducted research has important implications, since in pandemic conditions, further development of low-budget airlines is expected to contribute to the recovery of air traffic and tourism.

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