FEATURE ARTICLES

Haemoglobin measurement at the point of care has been the source of some concern. Here, Barbara De la Salle and colleagues from UK NEQAS for Haematology explain the steps taken to assess the current situation.

Standardisation of vitamin D assays is essential to improving patient health, and the introduction of a new test aims to improve the laboratory detection of deficiency, as Heather Harper explains.

Molecular techniques have improved the turnaround time of test to identifying mycobacterial organisms. Here. Ann Barrett and colleagues assess the strengths and weaknesses of several methods. (Image: CDC/Dr George P Kubica)

A milestone event for haematology automation took place in Kettering recently, but to the biomedical scientists this represented so much more than simple numerical success, as Simon Kimber explains.

Streamlined automation in support of urine microbiology has had a significant impact on the staff of, and service provided by, one London laboratory.

Last October, Maple House in Birmingham was the venue for an event that focused on the management and provision of point-of-care testing in the modern healthcare environment. An informative and thought provoking-workshop, ‘How to Deliver Point-of-Care Testing in a Managed Service Contract’, brought together healthcare companies, VAT experts and legal advisers to discuss the topical issues around the procurement of services by the NHS.

In May, Pathology in Practice will host the first in a series of one-day conferences designed to provide those in laboratory medicine with the information needed to meet the professional challenges found in the modern healthcare environment.

(Image: www.sxc.hu)

Gary Eltringham and Andrew Sails assess two bacterial storage and transport systems for use in the detection of viral DNA, with an analysis of storage conditions and the effect of the presence of contaminating Escherichia coli.

(Image: CDC/Dr Fred Murphy, Sylvia Whitfield)

Company Members represent a proactive and supportive class of IBMS membership. Here, Mark Reed provides information on this often under-recognised group that does much to strengthen the symbiotic relationship between profession and commerce.

Ninewells Hospital blood sciences laboratory is overcoming the challenges of increasing demand and ever-tighter budgets by implementing automation. Here, Bill Barlett provides an insight into progress on Tayside.

Sarah Battle and colleagues develop a single method able to screen for and identify haemoglobin variants, include some rare subtypes.

Recent advances in microbiology automation have seen the increased use of liquid transport swabs. In this comparative assessment of two systems, Kamran Khan and Helen Jones look at suitability in molecular methods.

(Image: CDC/Janice Haney Carr/Jeff Hageman)

With over a million UK patients now on oral anticoagulants, the requirement for rapid warfarin reversal therapy is becoming increasingly necessary. Here, transfusion scientist Barry Hill talks to a leading industry specialist about the latest developments.

(Image: National Cancer Institute)

The team at Ballymena-based CIGA Healthcare is celebrating after receiving the results of an independent evaluation of its new SURESIGN professional urine analyser and test strips.

Vela Diagnostics, new to the UK, offers a flexible approach to various same-day testing demands without the need for complex laboratory systems. Richard Pallin explains.

This year has been a pivotal one for Beckman Coulter, with an expansion of its customer base across a range of laboratory sizes. Here, Leanne Annereau talks about recent successes and future prospects.

The coordination of point-of-care blood glucose testing has been enhanced in one south-east trust by the introduction of an integrated system, as Phil Bates explains.

Various immunological methods have been used to diagnose coeliac disease. Here, Charlene Porter, Irene Gray and David Wilson assess an alternative platform for the detection of anti-tTG.

(Image modified from reference 3 with kind permission)

Urine collection has changed little over the past centuries; now, however, vacuum technology is set to improve the situation for patients and the laboratory, as Colin Freeman explains.

The Congress programme clearly demonstrates the vital importance of the symbiotic relationship that exists between the commercial sector and the profession it supports. Attendance, however, offers so much more.