Maintaining lasting progress in laboratory test utilization is difficult to do without a reminder tool for providers. Since implementation of a quarterly physician report card in 2003, we have seen sustained improvement in the ordering of wellness tests in an ambulatory care network in the United States for over four...

There are few medical diagnoses that depend solely on the result of a single blood test, but diabetes mellitus, which is defined by concentration of circulating glucose, is one that does. Quite apart from its long established role in diagnosis as well as life-long monitoring of diabetes, measurement of circulating...

Modern analytical devices for testing biological fluids, such as blood, have now developed a sophistication that ensures the quality of the analytical result is capable of matching that achieved in the central laboratory.    Complementary developments are focused on reducing operator-related and connectivity-related...

The integrity and function of all cells depend on an adequate supply of oxygen. Severe acute illness is frequently associated with inadequate tissue perfusion and/or reduced amount of oxygen in blood (hypoxemia) leading to tissue hypoxia.  If not reversed, tissue hypoxia can rapidly progress to multiorgan failure and ...

In 2005, acutecaretesting.org interviewed Dr Michael Astion, an active spokesperson for patient safety and reduction of lab errors, on the main issues surrounding the topic. Since then, a lot has changed… or has it? In a follow-up interview with Astion, acutecaretesting.org gauges the status of patient safety year...

Part 2: Red flags The transition from fetus to newborn is a process of rapid physiological adaptation that is sometimes delayed by complications. Most newborns complete the process of transition with little or no delay.  These infants may demonstrate normal transitional findings, including tachypnea and tachycardia, ...

This essay is a follow-up to the 2006 series expressing concern that there is a widespread gap between QC theory and QC practice. Now we are giving you, the reader, the opportunity to rate your own QC practice and to help prove or disprove that gap.  If the QC theories generally recommended by recognized QC experts ...

Part 1: The physiology of transition The transition from fetus to neonate is a critical time of physiological adaptation. While the majority of term infants complete this process in a smooth and organized fashion, some infants experience a delay in transition or exhibit symptoms of underlying disease. Careful...

Homeostatic mechanisms ensure that in health the extracellular fluid (ECF) concentration of electrolytes, including calcium, is maintained within well-defined limits. Abnormality in ECF calcium concentration can have profound adverse effects.  The most common means of assessing calcium status is to measure total...

Blood gas analysis is a complex field that has a direct impact on patient care in a critical care environment. Healthcare professionals consistently emphasize high-quality results in order to properly treat patients, and recognize the need and usefulness of quality standards.  Using a path-of-workflow analysis as part ...