Evaluation of the Abbot FreeStyle Optium Neo H blood glucose meter in the hyperbaric oxygen environment.

Introduction: This study investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) on the accuracy and reliability of point-of-care fingertip capillary blood glucose values in euglycaemic non-diabetic participants compared against venous serum blood glucose samples processed in an accredited pathology laboratory.

Method: Ten non-diabetic hyperbaric staff members (age 35-55 years) underwent a standard 243 kPa HBOT exposure for 95 minutes. Blood glucose levels were measured via (i) finger-prick capillary test using the FreeStyle Optium™ Neo H glucometer and (ii) venous serum test using the Cobas 6000 laboratory analyser.

An integrative review of skin assessment tools used to evaluate skin injury related to external beam radiation therapy.

Aims And Objectives: To review literature associated with external beam radiotherapy and skin damage. A focus of the literature search is to highlight and discuss the myriad of skin assessment tools that are available to the clinician when assessing skin injury in patients receiving external beam radiation therapy.

Background: It is apparent that despite considerable work being progressed in the development of individualised skin assessment tools, uptake and use is poor.