In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in requests for HbA1c testing, due to its use in diabetes diagnosis and monitoring. Here, Colin Stone discusses the evaluation of HbA1c analysers to meet the needs of his department.
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust serves a large part of South London. The pathology department is part of the GSTS group, which also includes departments at St Thomas’ Hospital and Guy’s Hospital.
The workload related to the monitoring of diabetics using HbA1c was increasing, and, with the proposed introduction of the local ‘Diabetes Modernisation Initiative’, it was apparent that workload would increase dramatically. The department operated two Primus Ultra HbA1c analysers, based in the main biochemistry laboratory and in the diabetic clinic, but both were working close to capacity.
Clinical requirement was an important issue. The HbA1c workload was increasing dramatically and therefore an instrument was required that could meet the needs of general practitioners and clinicians in the diabetic clinic. This was particularly important in the diabetic clinic setting, where a result is needed almost immediately.
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