scholarly journals Point-of-Care Testing for the Emergency Department Patient: Quantity and Quality of the Available Evidence

2021 ◽  
Vol 145 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-319
Author(s):  
David N. Alter
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
English Language ◽  
Drugs Of Abuse ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Emergency Department Patient ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Point Of Care Test ◽  
Viral Influenza ◽  
Pubmed Search

Context.— Point-of-care test (POCT) instruments produce lab results with rapid turnaround times. Based on that fact, emergency department (ED) POCT requests are predicated on the belief that rapid test turnaround times lead to improved care, typically a decreased ED length of stay (LOS). Objective.— To compile the available peer-reviewed data regarding use of POCT in the ED with an emphasis on ED-LOS. Data Sources.— An English-language PubMed search using the following free text terms: (“EMERGENCY” AND “POINT OF CARE”) NOT ULTRASOUND as well as “RAPID INFECTIOUS DISEASE TESTING.” In addition, the PubMed “similar articles” functionality was used to identify related articles that were not identified on the initial search. Conclusions.— Seventy-four references were identified that studied POCT ED use to determine if they resulted in significant changes in ED processes, especially ED-LOS. They were divided into 3 groups: viral-influenza (n = 24), viral-respiratory not otherwise specified (n = 8), and nonviral (n = 42). The nonviral group was further divided into the following groups: chemistry, cardiac, bacterial/strep, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, drugs of abuse, lactate, and pregnancy. Across all groups there was a trend toward a significantly decreased ED-LOS; however, a number of studies showed no change, and a third group was not assessed for ED-LOS. For POCT to improve ED-LOS it has to be integrated into existing ED processes such that a rapid test result will allow the patient to have a shorter LOS, whether it is to discharge or admission.

Testing for resistance: Point-of-care testing as a communicational tool in antibiotic prescribing

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-240
Author(s):  
Johanna Lindell
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Treatment Recommendation ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Communicative Practices ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Point Of Care Test ◽  
Test Result

As antibiotic resistance becomes a growing health emergency, effective strategies are needed to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use. In this article, one such strategy – communicative practices associated with the C-reactive protein point-of care test – is investigated. Building on a collection of 31 videorecorded consultations from Danish primary care, and using conversation analysis, this study finds that the rapid test can be used throughout the consultation to incrementally build the case for a nonantibiotic treatment recommendation, both when the test result is forecast and reported. The study also finds that the format of reports of elevated results differs from that of ‘normal’ results, resulting in a subtle shift of authority from doctor to test.

scholarly journals Comparison of the use of comprehensive point-of-care test panel to conventional laboratory process in emergency department

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meri Kankaanpää ◽  
Marika Holma-Eriksson ◽  
Sami Kapanen ◽  
Merja Heitto ◽  
Sari Bergström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Test Panel ◽  
Point Of Care Test

scholarly journals Comparison between B·R·A·H·M·S PCT direct, a new sensitive point-of-care testing device for rapid quantification of procalcitonin in emergency department patients and established reference methods – a prospective multinational trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Kutz ◽  
Pierre Hausfater ◽  
Michael Oppert ◽  
Murat Alan ◽  
Eva Grolimund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Reference Method ◽  
Point Of Care Test ◽  
Emergency Department Patients ◽  
Work Up

AbstractProcalcitonin (PCT) is increasingly being used for the diagnostic and prognostic work up of patients with suspected infections in the emergency department (ED). Recently, B·R·A·H·M·S PCT direct, the first high sensitive point-of-care test (POCT), has been developed for fast PCT measurement on capillary or venous blood samples.This is a prospective, international comparison study conducted in three European EDs. Consecutive patients with suspicion of bacterial infection were included. Duplicate determination of PCT was performed in capillary (fingertip) and venous whole blood (EDTA), and compared to the reference method. The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by correlation and concordance analyses.Three hundred and three patients were included over a 6-month period (60.4% male, median age 65.2 years). The correlation between capillary or venous whole blood and the reference method was excellent: rThis study found a high diagnostic accuracy and a faster time to result of B·R·A·H·M·S PCT direct in the ED setting, allowing shortening time to therapy and a more wide-spread use of PCT.

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