30-08-2011 | Hedwig C.M. Stepman; Dietmar Stöckl; Rosana Acheme; Sandra Sesini; Daniel Mazziotta; Linda M. Thienpont, Clinical Chemistry , 2011

Abstract Background: The Fundación Bioquímica Argentina (FBA) performs external quality assessment (EQA) of >3200 laboratories. However, FBA realizes that sample non-commutability and predominant use of heterogeneous systems may bias the estimated performance and standardization status. To ...

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17-06-2011 | Stefania Giovannini; Gian Carlo Zucchelli; Giorgio Iervasi; Annalisa Iervasi; Maria Rosa Chiesa; Antonella Mer ..., Clinical Chemistry , 2011

Abstract Background: In order to evaluate whether there is still present a very large variability in measured values and analytical performance among different free thyroid (FT) hormone immunoassays, we considered the results derived from an External Quality Assessment (EQA) scheme, named ...

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31-05-2011 | Michael Vogeser; Thomas Stauch, Clinical Chemistry , 2011

Abstract Background: Demonstration of substantially increased urinary excretion of porphobilinogen is the cornerstone of diagnosing acute porphyria crisis. Because porphobilinogen testing is not implemented on clinical chemistry analysers, respective analyses are available in rather few ...

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17-05-2011 | Anna Carobene; Carlo Franzini; Ferruccio Ceriotti, Clinical Chemistry , 2011

Abstract Background: The definition of quality goals to evaluate the performance of laboratories participating in External Quality Assessment Schemes (EQAS) is currently not homogeneous. The aim of the work was to verify the applicability of quality goals based on biological variation ...

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17-05-2011 | Ilkka Penttilä; Karri Penttilä; Toivo Halonen; Kari Pulkki; Jukka Törrönen; Rainer Rauramaa, Clinical Chemistry , 2011

Abstract Background: Measurement of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a key diagnostic criterion and a key parameter for the follow-up of the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Typically, immunochemical assays of HbA1c are performed in clinical chemistry analyzers. In this study, we applied the HbA1c ...

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27-04-2011 | Clinical Chemistry , 2011

Clinical and Economic Advances in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis The Value of Improved Workflow Solutions Autonomous Biosensors – Technologies that Help to Bring Biomarkers to the Patient The Clinical Utility of Multiplex Biochips for the Detection of Multiple STI's and Respiratory Pathogens ...

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20-04-2011 | Véronique Viette; Marc Fathi; Serge Rudaz; Denis Hochstrasser; Jean-Luc Veuthey, Clinical Chemistry , 2011

Abstract Toxicological screening is the analysis of a biological specimen to detect and identify compounds in patients admitted to the hospital with acute intoxication of unknown origin. The screening of a wide range of toxicologically relevant compounds in biological samples is a serious ...

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20-04-2011 | Raffaele Di Francia; Massimiliano Berretta; Oriana Catapano; Lorella M.T. Canzoniero; Luigi Formisano, Clinical Chemistry , 2011

Abstract Genetic testing of drug response represents an important goal for targeted therapy. In particular, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is the backbone of several chemotherapic protocols for treatment of solid tumors. Unfortunately, in some patients, 5-FU is toxic and causes gastrointestinal and ...

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12-04-2011 | Massimo Brunetti; Silvia Pregno; Holger Schünemann; Mario Plebani; Tommaso Trenti, Clinical Chemistry , 2011

Abstract Laboratory data play a pivotal role in the clinical decision-making process. Major transformations have occurred in laboratory medicine in recent decades. To face the economic pressures, hospital laboratories are forced to enhance efficiency. Decisions on policy and practice take ...

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12-04-2011 | Laura Sciacovelli; Maurice O’Kane; Younis Abdelwahab Skaik; Patrizio Caciagli; Cristina Pellegrini; Giorg ..., Clinical Chemistry , 2011

Abstract Background: The adoption of Quality Indicators (QIs) has prompted the development of tools to measure and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of laboratory testing, first in the hospital setting and subsequently in ambulatory and other care settings. While Laboratory Medicine has ...

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