A simple and affordable method of evaluating blood coagulation ability using microfluidic paperbased lateral flow assay (LFA) device is reported. Rabbit whole blood treated with citrate as anticoagulant was used in experiments. Re-establishment of blood coagulation cascade and creation of different coagulation abilities were achieved by adding CaCl2 solutions of varying concentrations. Since vi...

We present a small, compact and portable device for point-of-care instantaneous early detection of anemia. The method used is based on direct hematocrit measurement from whole blood samples by means of impedance analysis. This device consists of a custom electronic instrumentation and a plug-and-play disposable sensor. The designed electronics rely on straightforward standards for low power con...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether noninvasive hemoglobin measurement by Pulse CO-Oximetry could provide clinically acceptable absolute and trend accuracy in critically ill patients, compared to other invasive methods of hemoglobin assessment available at bedside and the gold standard, the laboratory analyzer. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING Surgical intensive care unit of a university teachi...

Indwelling medical devices are increasingly used in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). These devices place residents at a heightened risk for infection and colonization and infection with multidrug-resistant organisms. Understanding the risk and pathogenesis of infection associated with commonly used medical devices can help facilitate appropriate therapy. Programs to minimize unnecessary use o...

BACKGROUND Not all new drug products are truly new. Some are the result of marginal innovation and incremental patenting of existing products, but in such a way that confers no major therapeutic improvement. This phenomenon, pejoratively known as "evergreening", can allow manufacturers to preserve market exclusivity, but without significantly bettering the standard of care. Other studies specul...

BACKGROUND Industry payments to surgeons have received public attention, but little is known about the relationships between surgeons and medical device representatives. Medical device representatives ("device reps") have become an integral part of operating room personnel. The effect of their presence on patient care deserves discussion. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a qualitative, ethnographic ...