Use of Middleware Data to Dissect and Optimize Hematology Autoverification.

Background: Hematology analysis comprises some of the highest volume tests run in clinical laboratories. Autoverification of hematology results using computer-based rules reduces turnaround time for many specimens, while strategically targeting specimen review by technologist or pathologist.

Methods: Autoverification rules had been developed over a decade at an 800-bed tertiary/quarternary care academic medical central laboratory serving both adult and pediatric populations.

Data on length of parathyroidectomy surgery and intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay turnaround times following a switch in the location for intraoperative PTH testing from near point-of-care to central laboratory.

Intraoperative monitoring of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is commonly used during parathyroidectomies. There are a number of practical challenges in achieving rapid turnaround time (TAT) for intraoperative PTH testing, whether the testing is performed point-of-care, near point-of-care, or in a central clinical laboratory. In the related research article, we analyzed a decade of data from 3025 intraoperative PTH tests on 897 unique patients.

Evaluation of switch from satellite laboratory to central laboratory for testing of intraoperative parathyroid hormone.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate testing turnaround time (TAT) and incision to close time in parathyroid surgeries before and after switching intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) testing from a near point of care location to a central clinical laboratory.

Design And Methods: This retrospective study covered a ten-year period. Both testing locations used the same Roche Diagnostics PTH immunoassay but on different analyzers.

Impact of Endogenous and Exogenous Interferences on Clinical Chemistry Parameters Measured on Blood Gas Analyzers.

Background: The prevalence of hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia (HIL) was determined for residual whole blood specimens analyzed for clinical chemistry parameters on blood gas analyzers. The frequency and potential impact of exogenous interference from iodide, salicylate, and thiocyanate (metabolite of sodium nitroprusside) on analysis of whole blood chloride was also assessed.

Methods: Over an approximately two month period at an academic medical center, indices for HIL were determined on Roche cobas c502 analyzers for 1,986 residual whole blood specimens that had been previously analyzed for clinical chemistry parameters on Radiometer ABL90 FLEX blood gas analyzers.

Prevalence and Clinical Utility of "Incidental" Critical Values Resulting From Critical Care Laboratory Testing.

Objective: Panels of clinical laboratory testing may generate "incidental" critical values from unordered parameters. Existing regulations do not clearly delineate guidelines for handling incidental critical values. The objective of this study was to examine the patterns and clinical utility of incidental critical values at 2 critical care laboratories within an academic medical center.