Publications by authors named "Nicole Devleeschouwer"
Background: In 2005, a special survey in the Belgian External Quality Assessment focused on the performance of six automated immunoassay analysers most frequently used in Belgium for estradiol-17beta (E(2)) and progesterone. Results obtained were compared with values determined by reference method, isotope dilution-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry (ID-GC/MS).
Methods: Five fresh frozen serum samples, without additives, from single donors and three pools from pregnant women were distributed to all registered Belgian laboratories.
Article Synopsis
- - The study evaluates blood alcohol analysis methods used by Belgian laboratories, finding that gas chromatography (GC) and enzymatic methods performed the best, with GC being more precise, especially near the legal limit of 0.5 g/l.
- - Enzymatic methods are user-friendly but depend heavily on equipment, while traditional chemical oxidation methods (Casier) are outdated and show poor performance.
- - The research calls for improved practical guidelines for GC methods to enhance the accuracy of alcohol testing in Belgium, signaling a need for a shift away from obsolete techniques.