p50 is a shorthand representation of hemoglobin-oxygen affinity. A lower p50 is protective in ambient hypoxemia, whereas increasing the p50 should be beneficial in hypoxia due to lung disease, anemia, and tissue ischemia. Despite encouraging theoretical and experimental data, it is not yet established that...

The measurement of the electrolytes in blood is one of the most frequently performed measurements as the electrolytes are of major physiological importance for numerous functions of the body. Analysis of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium are performed in the traditional clinical chemistry laboratory, but are...

Point-of-care testing provides rapid laboratory diagnostics close to the site of care. Quality assurance of POCT, however, requires significant resources that should be matched with improved patient outcome and benefit. Application of evidence-based medicine to POCT can critically assess the medical effectiveness of...

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a delivery option for performing laboratory testing closer to the patient. Due to increasing healthcare pressures for faster turnaround of laboratory results and the development of a broader menu of testing devices, POCT is growing in popularity. Devices today are more portable,...

Measurement of transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcpO₂) has gained worldwide acceptance as a simple and effective method of evaluating cutaneous blood flow in settings where skin viability and the adequacy of skin blood flow are of major concern. An example of such a setting is the non-invasive vascular laboratory at...