[Research-and-production enterprise "Neuron": equipment for ophthalmology]

The paper is dedicated to a small enterprise functioning in the field of medical engineering, i.e. the "Neuron" research-and-production Co. (Ufa), which has been designing and assembling the therapeutic outfit for ophthalmology.

Choosing between competing technologies in the cytology laboratory

Technological change often is internal to anatomic pathology services. When new technology requires collaborative development with clinical staff, it is important to systematically approach the rationale for the new technology, and be prepared to deal with its medical, financial, and, sometimes, even personal implications. Such a systematic approach involves sequentially evaluating the acceptability and the potential benefits of technologic alternatives among the laboratory leadership, with each potential vendor, the laboratory staff, and the clinical and institutional leadership, and must ultimately include effective communication with the entire clinical community. Among the benefits of such a systematic approach are resiliency of the process when challenged, and credibility of its leadership, within and outside of the laboratory.

Automated tissue engineering: a major paradigm shift in health care

The tissue engineering product market is projected to rise to US $80 billion by 2012. However, the technology must become an automated process to enable predictions to become reality.

Medical technologies at the dawn of the German health-care reform

How health care should be reformed to address the current economic pressures and deliver a better future.

Empowering patients: total product life cycle for medical devices

Patients today demand a stake in the care of their own health. The expectation is that patients who take responsibility for their own care will communicate more effectively with their health care team and be productive citizens in our society. Medical technology today and those products visible on the horizon, coupled in a telehealth network, provide promise to empower patients to participate fully in the management of their own health. Technology alone, however, will not integrate the elements required for an effective telehealth system. This chapter considers the non-technical matters of this issue such as trends in the medical device industry, trends in the point of care, public health care policies, and the role of government regulation, working together to achieve these public health goals.

More than a device: today's medical technology companies provide value through service

When physicians implant cardiac rhythm management devices, they establish a long-term relationship with those devices and with the manufacturers of those devices. The therapeutic value that each device will provide to its patient is enhanced throughout the life of the device by the services that the manufacturer provides. Services are provided prior to, during and long after implantation. Services include physician and allied health professional training, quality assurance programs, therapy outreach initiatives, on site technical support during device implantation and follow-up, technical service expertise and customer service support. The costs of these services are substantial. When assessed on a per device basis, the service costs may actually exceed the costs of manufacture. Further, the costs of these services are rising. Over the past five years, the number of implanted cardiac rhythm management devices has doubled. Industry field forces have tripled in size. Clearly, industry is dedicated to providing service as a critical element in achieving excellent patient outcomes.

The role, duties and responsibilities of technologists in the clinical laboratory

Within the United Kingdom, the job functions of the technologist are carried out by Biomedical Scientists who account for the greater proportion of staff employed within clinical laboratories. Their traditional responsibilities have involved providing a quality service through their scientific, technical and clinical skills. During the 1990s, a number of factors combined, leading to a change in the way which quality was viewed within the National Health Service (NHS). This has changed the role of the technologist, encouraging them to broaden their knowledge and take on new skills and responsibility.

2nd Sino-European Congress of Laboratory Medicine--strategies for laboratory diagnostics in medicine

During the 2nd Sino-European Congress in Shanghai in April 2001 the aim of the presentation was an overview on strategies and systems of laboratory diagnostic work. The main focus was to define the prerequisites and the different approaches in the diagnostic work in patients' treatment. In this paper, besides the area of emergency medicine with definition of vital functions and the routine work in deciding between healthy and ill individuals and in the control of therapy, the different aspects in the field of research and teaching are specified. Some aspects of workflow definition and optimization are discussed.

The problems and strategy relevant to the quality management of clinical laboratories

AIM

This study is aimed to discuss the present situation, existing problems, and relevant measures concerning the management of clinical laboratories in China.

METHODS

This study was carried out through the analysis of the problems relevant to the quality management of the laboratory medicine, based on the advanced experiences of ISO and developed countries in the management of clinical laboratories.

RESULTS

Many problems still remain unsolved concerning the quality management of clinical laboratories.

CONCLUSION

Only legalized and standardized management guarantees the quality of clinical inspection.

[The control survey of Japanese Association of Medical Technologists (JAMT) and its possibility of the standardization for the survey]

External quality control survey of JAMT (Japanese Association of Medical Technologists) carries out 9 sections of clinical chemistry, hematology, bacteriology, serology, cytology, urology, physiology-pathology, blood transfusion and genetics. In two sections of biochemistry and urology, the control survey sample have been certified which was target value and allowance limits of error by the reference method. These standardized items are utilized in order to know the degree of the accuracy of the participation laboratories. We carried out the investigation for putting the focus at 2 sections of biochemistry and serology in order to execute the standardization of the external quality control. The multiple laboratories were carried out certified using both of common pooled serum and the reference serum for a proficiency test. On the standardization items, the result showed that the external quality survey assessment was possible by the accuracy. On items of biochemistry and serology test, there have compatibility which the results of same control survey of other group. It judged possible the standardization of the external quality control assessment by the integration of the research method.

Management of a point-of-care program. Organization, quality assurance, and data management

Management of a POCT program can be difficult. Cooperation and communication are essential. Creating an interdisciplinary POCT committee is key to successful management. Each discipline through its expertise and common goal to provide quality patient care contributes to the success of the program. The development of a comprehensive QA program ensures that POCT results are accurate, reliable, and performed by competent personnel, and that regulatory compliance is achieved. Continuous quality improvement diminishes the POCT program's potential for undesirable outcomes. Ultimately, the patient benefits, with quality patient care and improved outcomes. Improved data management is necessary with the increased demands for point-of-care tests and the volume of data already generated to ensure quality of results and still meet regulatory guidelines. More automated systems are needed to eliminate labor- and time-intensive tasks. The function of downloading data requires complete automation and transparency for nursing and other testing personnel to gain complete cooperation. The future for data management, however, looks promising for meeting the needs of today.