On or about 02-06-97, Chris Nold wrote this to Gary Saffer:
 
 CN> Speaking of diagnostic evaluations, is there any services out there
 CN> yet who are doing blood testing in the field? E.I.: blood gasses,
 CN> routine lab tests, etc? I've been hearing that the capability is out
 CN> there, but haven't heard of it in use...
 
Point-of-care testing in the hospital is increasing in popularity, and
it certainly has potential application in the field as well.
 
The portable ABG analyzers, such as the Irma and I-Stat, are hand held,
have a disposable analysis cartrige, and are fairly fast and accurate.
Right now, their main use is for faster response time in emergency
situations in the hospital - for example they can be taken to a code
blue.
 
I think they have potential value in the home care setting, also.
 
But I'm not sure how useful they would be on an ambulance... my
inclination is that the results would not alter your interventions that
significantly during the pre-hospital time period.
 
But, then, what do I know?  I could easily be wrong.  Just my $.02, for
what it's worth.  :)
 
Jim Jeffcoat, RRT
RCP echo Moderator                   jim.jeffcoat@healthmidwest.org
 
 
... Do radioactive cats have 18 half-lives?
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