Dosage de la 25 OH vitamine D: expérience du laboratoire central de biochimie clinique du Centre Hospitalier Ibn Sina

La connaissance de la physiologie de la vitamine D a considérablement progressé ces dernières années, la faisant passer de simple vitamine à tropisme purement phosphocalcique et osseux à celui d'hormone jouant un rôle crucial dans de nombreux mécanismes physiologiques et dont le déficit est impliqué dans plusieurs pathologies. Nous présentons, dans ce travail, l'expérience du laboratoire central de biochimie dans le dosage de la 25 OH vitamine D. Enquête descriptive exhaustive portant sur les dosages de la 25 OH vitamine D effectués chez 350 patients du Centre Hospitalier Ibn Sina (CHIS). La méthode adoptée est un dosage immunologique par chimiluminescence sur microparticules réalisés sur l'auto-analyseur ARCHITECT 8200 (ABBOTT^®) pendant une période de six mois (du 01 Juin 2011 au 31 Decembre 2011). Quatre vingt et onze pourcent des patients présentent une hypovitaminose. En effet 76,6% des patients souffrent d'une insuffisance en vitamine D, 12,3% de carence vitaminique et 2,6% d'ostéomalacie. L'hypovitaminose est associée dans 92,18% des cas à une normocalcémie, dans 76,87% des cas à une Hyperparathormone, dans 92,81% à des troubles thyroïdiens et dans 97,5% à une insuffisance rénale. Par ailleurs aucune relation statistiquement significative n'est établie entre l'hypovitaminose et le diabète. A la lumière des implications des hypovitaminoses dans plusieurs pathologies ou dans leurs complications et au vu du nombre élevé de patients présentant un déficit en vitamine D, il paraît judicieux d'envisager une étude épidémiologique sur le statut en vitamine D dans la population marocaine comme outil préventif avant d'élargir le dosage de ce marqueur biologique en vue d'une éventuelle supplémentation.

[Chair remarks of the symposium. "Updated learning from experts in laboratory disciplines"]

Clinical laboratories should collect and keep updated information on issues related with quality management. This symposium was undertaken for an expert review of the updates in laboratory disciplines, including phlebotomy, clinical pulmonology and clinical microbiology. In phlebotomy, safety in blood collection is an ongoing issue and could be ensured by implementing staff education to reinforce methods of avoiding the risk of nerve injuries by selecting an appropriate vessel as well as the use of a butterfly needle. In the pulmonary function test, efforts are necessary to standardize the examination protocol, the quality control method, and prediction equation. In the microbiology laboratory, there is a transition of its role into activities for healthcare-associated infection control, such as the provision of an active surveillance culture, tabulated data on an antibiogram, and trends of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in relation with antimicrobial use, as well as participation in an integrated team approach. All of the presentations in the symposium were educational and inspiring in providing information useful in daily laboratory practice. Combining the efforts in each discipline of the clinical laboratory on the basis of updated information would support the quality services of the laboratory.

[Contribution of clinical laboratories to the diabetes care team--efforts in our hospital]

The traditional role of clinical laboratory technicians is to perform biochemical and physiological tests quickly and accurately in the laboratory. Currently, however, clinical laboratory technicians should look out outside the laboratory because of marked changes in circumstances, such as recent advances of medical technology and the development of the team approach to medical care by many medical specialists. The team approach for diabetic patients is a representative case, in which clinical laboratory technicians can play an active role more than before. At our Sumitomo Hospital, clinical laboratory technicians joined the diabetes care team in 2004. Our activities are wide-ranging, for instance, individual advice regarding laboratory tests, group lectures and making individual data sheet that shows graphs of the improvement of test values, named "Valuable Information". We here describe the present activities in our hospital, evaluate the problems and issues, and discuss the favorable image of clinical laboratory technicians expected in the future.

[Contribution of clinical laboratory to the diabetes care team: efforts in physiological laboratory]

A large number of clinical laboratory technologists are qualified as diabetes educators; however, few of them actually participate in teaching patients. This is partially because it is difficult to balance their routine laboratory tasks and the work of a diabetes educator. We have introduced ultrasonic examinations of the ophthalmic artery, inspection of the R-R interval and current perceptual-threshold inspection for the early diagnosis of diabetic complications, and we have been contributing to the good medical care for diabetes. Furthermore, to care for diabetic foot lesions, clinical laboratory technologists have participated in checking diabetic patients' feet since 2007. In concrete terms, we examine the feet of diabetic patients, take digital pictures of the feet, and write a report, while preparing for thermographic examination of the patient. At the same time, we give simple guidance about foot care. Technologists cannot perform medical treatment; however, this has been accepted by medical staff because we only check foot lesions. We make use of existing medical imaging and reporting systems in the physiological laboratory, so doctors and nurses on the diabetic care team can always obtain information about the patients. Such actions have a good reputation not only among medical staff but also among diabetic patients.

The value of clinical and laboratory diagnostics for chest pain patients at the emergency department

BACKGROUND

The focus during the diagnostic process for patients with acute chest pain is to discriminate patients who can be safely discharged from those who are at risk for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In this study the diagnostic value of the clinical examination is compared with laboratory testing of troponin.

METHODS

This study included 710 chest pain patients who presented at the ED of two hospitals in the Netherlands. Clinical examination and laboratory testing were combined in the recently developed HEART-score. The diagnostic values of clinical presentation, troponin and the HEART-score for a major adverse coronary event (MACE) and an ACS within 6 weeks were assessed. Furthermore, the improvement of HEART with the second troponin measurement after 6 h was assessed using the net reclassification improvement (NRI).

RESULTS

The use of HEART (AUCMACE: 0.77; AUCACS: 0.82) obtains a higher diagnostic value than troponin (AUCMACE: 0.72; AUCACS: 0.74) or clinical evaluation (AUCMACE: 0.69; AUCACS: 0.74). Statistical significant different AUCs were obtained when HEART is compared to troponin or clinical evaluation (p<0.01). The use of the second troponin test (after 6 h of admission) within HEART resulted in an improvement of 8.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

The HEART-score combines clinical evaluation and results from laboratory testing, which should be used together, to discriminate patients at risk of a cardiac event from patients who can be safely discharged. In addition, it is shown that a second troponin measurement slightly improves the discriminative ability of the HEART-score.

[Laboratory-based surveillance of antibacterial drug-resistant bacteria in the Kinki region]

The study of bacterial resistance in the Kinki region of Japan (SBRK) was launched in 1997 for the purpose of monitoring antibacterial drug-resistant bacteria. In SBRK, laboratory-based surveillance, such as of Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophillus influenzae, extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenemase producing Gram-negative rods, etc. has been carried out for over 10 years and the results have been reported through seminars and conference presentations. Technical seminars of detection methods for clinically important drug-resistant bacteria were also held in order to contribute to improving the quality of microbiology laboratories. To conduct appropriate infection control of drug-resistant bacteria, effective utilization of quality-assured microbiological data and information sharing of regional epidemiological data is very important. The construction of regional cooperation systems among microbiology laboratories and with public institutions is strongly required.

[Application of terahertz technology in medical testing and diagnosis]

Terahertz science and technology is increasingly emphasized in science and industry, and has progressed significantly in recent years. There is an important aspect of attention in the application of terahertz technology to medicine. The overview of the terahertz characters, terahertz spectroscopy and terahertz imaging technology is introduced. This paper focuses on reviewing the use of and research progress in terahertz spectroscopy and terahertz imaging technology in medical testing and diagnosis. Furthermore, the problems to be solved and development directions of terahertz spectroscopy and terahertz imaging technology are discussed.

Changing trends of hepatitis B seromarkers amongst Pakistani population: a laboratory-based review

OBJECTIVE

To study the changing trends of hepatitis B markers tested at Aga Khan University Hospital clinical laboratory according to the internationally recognised classification of hepatitis B profile.

METHODS

The retrospective study involved analysis of laboratory records of hepatitis B profiles of all patients collected from January 2001 to December 2008 at the Aga Khan University Hospital's clinical laboratory. Patients with complete profile tested were categorised according to the Centre for Diseases Control classification of hepatitis B profile. SPSS 16 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 185,825 patients had serological markers for hepatitis B tested. Mean-age of reactive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) patients was 30+/-12.5 years. HBsAg reactivity was significantly higher in males than females (34% vs 12%; p <0.0001). HBsAg showed a slight decline in the percentage reactivity during the 8-year study period, while a gradual increase in hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) reactivity was observed. Of the total, 23% patients belonged to the 'susceptible to infection' category; 39% patients were classified as 'chronically-ill'; 12% patients were categorised as 'immune due to hepatitis B vaccination. 3% patients were classed as 'acutely infected'. Overall, samples received from Peshawar, Quetta and Larkana showed very high reactivity rates.

CONCLUSION

The study substantiated the general perception that levels of HBsAg is showing a decreasing trend, while levels of HBsAb are increasing perhaps due to better vaccination of population.

[The clinical safety of patient and reliability of laboratory information]

The diagnostic and curative measures during medical care support can be related with direct and indirect risks for patient. The clinical safety of patient is determined by both proper and timely diagnostic of pathology and application of appropriate curative measures on purpose to achieve safe outcome of case of disease. The important condition of clinical safety is the reliability of applied laboratory information which depends on degree of impact of factors deflecting value of analytical test result from true value of analyzed variable in organism of patient. The implementation of system of corrective measures, quality indicators, inner laboratory and external quality control and the referent system of laboratory medicine are needed to overcome the impact of deflecting factors.

[Task analysis of clinical laboratory physician in acute hospital]

Appropriate communications between clinical divisions and clinical laboratories are required to improve the quality of health care in hospitals. In this paper, the routine work of a clinical laboratory physician is presented. 1. In order to support attentive medical practice, we have established a consultation service system for handling questions from medical staff. The main clients are doctors and clinical laboratory technologists. 2. In order to improve the quality of infectious disease analysis, we have recommended obtaining two or more blood culture sets to achieve good sensitivity. The order rate of multiple blood culture sets increased 90% or more in 2011. 3. In order to provide appropriate blood transfusion, we intervene in inappropriate transfusion plans. 4. In order to support prompt decision making, we send E-mails to physicians regarding critical values. 5. We send reports on the morphology of cells(peripheral blood and bone marrow), IEP, flow cytometry, irregular antibodies, and so on. It has been realized that doctors want to know better solutions immediately rather than the best solution tomorrow morning. We would like to contribute to improving the quality of health care in Saitama Cooperative Hospital as clinical laboratory physicians.

[Essential role of specialists in laboratory medicine--introduction to a novel logistic support system in our hospital]

In cooperation with the clinical laboratory, our Department of Laboratory Medicine has established a novel logistic support system. The goal of this system is to improve the efficacy of laboratory medicine for both the clinician and patient through a new advisory service. Any abnormal patient laboratory data are detected by computer, printed and then checked and analyzed by medical technologists. The resulting comprehensive interpretation report is checked and confirmed by a clinical pathologist. After the results are analyzed, the clinical pathologist sends relevant clinical comments to a clinician via electric medical records. Additional comments are provided if further tests are needed. In serious cases, the clinical pathologist contacts the clinician directly by mobile phone. This system can benefit the clinician and patient in regards to both risk management and medical audit. In addition, other medical staff may become more aware of the role of the clinical laboratory and the Department of Laboratory Medicine. In a community hospital, specialists in laboratory medicine are gatekeepers for risk management and medical audits through advisory services. The day when the necessity and importance of specialists in laboratory medicine are properly recognized will surely come in the future.

Epidemic diffusion of KPC carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Italy: results of the first countrywide survey, 15 May to 30 June 2011

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are emerging as a public health problem in various settings. In Italy, a rapid and remarkable increase of carbapenem-non-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae has been reported since 2010. Here we report on the results of a countrywide cross-sectional survey, carried out from 15 May to 30 June 2011 to investigate the diffusion of CRE in Italy and to characterise the most prevalent resistance mechanisms and their dissemination patterns. CRE were reported from most (23 of 25) participating laboratories, with an overall proportion of 3.5% and 0.3% among consecutive non-duplicate clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae from inpatients (n=7,154) and outpatients (n=6,595), respectively. K. pneumoniae was the most frequent species (proportion of carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates: 11.9%), while a minority of CRE of other species were detected. Carbapenemase production was detected in the majority (85%) of CRE. KPC-type enzymes were by far the most common (89.5% of carbapenemase producers), followed by VIM-1 (9.2%) and OXA-48 (1.3%). KPC-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-KP) were detected in most centres and contributed majorly to the epidemic dissemination of CRE recently observed in our country. Dissemination of KPC-KP was mostly sustained by strains of clonal complex 258 (ST-258 producing KPC-2 or KPC-3, and ST-512 producing KPC-3), while a minority belonged to ST-101.

Assessment of sleep apnea syndrome in treated acromegalic patients and correlation of its severity with clinical and laboratory parameters

BACKGROUND

Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is a frequent disorder in acromegalic patients and its frequency ranges from 45 to 87.5% of patients. Obstructive SAS is the prevailing form in acromegaly and its pathogenesis is based on craniofacial deformations and thickening of soft tissues and mucosas of upper airways and bronchi. Central and mixed types are less frequent. Respiratory complications, and SAS in particular, may contribute to the increased mortality observed in acromegaly.

AIM

Aim of the present study is to assess the presence of SAS in acromegalic patients, its features and to correlate the severity of SAS with factors such as disease duration, body mass index (BMI), smoking, GH/IGF-I serum levels, associated comorbidities.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Polygraphy (SOMNOcheck Effort Weinmann V2.05) was performed in 25 consecutive acromegalic patients (9 men and 16 women). Statistical analysis was performed with Mann-Whitney's test and Spearman coefficient.

RESULTS

Fourteen out of 25 patients (56%) were affected by SAS. The prevailing form was obstructive SAS (12/14 patients). Smoking, female gender, and presence of lung disease appear to lead to a more severe form. We also found that the prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in the group of patients with SAS, whereas no correlation was proved among SAS and disease duration, GH/IGF-I serum levels, somatostatin analogs treatment, BMI, and associated comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

SAS is a frequent complication of acromegaly. Severe forms seem to be correlated with smoking and lung disease. Therefore, all acromegalic patients should be subjected to a polygraphic study for an early diagnosis and treatment and smoking should be discouraged.

[Comments on routine laboratory data that are of practical use for physicians]

Routine laboratory data are not adequately used to follow a patient because medical students are not educated to comprehend them with time series analysis. The Department of Laboratory Medicine can support physicians by adding comments to laboratory data that are of practical use for following a patient. At Shinshu University School of Medicine, routine laboratory data are discussed by time series analysis in a reversed clinicopathological conference(R-CPC). The general status is checked and then the state of each organ is examined using routine laboratory data, and we can obtain much more information about the patient than from physical examinations. In this R-CPC, several specialists in laboratory medicine discussed routine laboratory data of a patient with severe inflammation. It was difficult to diagnose him with a bacterial infection. Elevation of white blood cell count and high C-reactive protein suggested bacterial infection, and decreased platelets showed the possibility of bacteremia. However, he was clinically diagnosed as having multiple trauma without bacterial infection after falling down a mountainside. If routine laboratory data are finely analyzed by specialists in laboratory medicine, physicians can obtain useful information for patient treatment from the Department of Laboratory Medicine.

[TDM management system for contribution to proper use of anti-mRSA drugs--establishment of cooperation support system between pharmacy and clinical laboratory in hospital]

In team medicine, highly specialized pharmacists have recently been in demand. As one of the specialties, there is therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). It is important for the optimal dosing of a wide range of drugs. In our hospital, a TDM service was started in 1987 at the clinical laboratory. A clinical laboratory technologist with the license of a pharmacist has performed administration plans for anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) drugs, vancomycin, teicoplanin, and arbekacin. In particular, the pharmacist in charge of TDM services, a TDM-specialized pharmacist, plays a central role in administration plans for anti MRSA drugs. Furthermore, we examined the active use of the TDM service to expand pharmaceutical care. Therefore, at first, we have worked in partnership with the clinical laboratory, as it is called the "Cooperation Support System", since September 2010. As a result, after the introduction of this system, from August 2011 to July 2012, the rate that the doctor referred to the administration plan was markedly improved by approximately 90%. We have been able to enhance TDM in practical training for pharmacology as an extension of this system. We thought that drug therapy can be performed more appropriately by increasing the number of executions of TDM in the future. For drug therapy to be done more appropriately, efforts made through cooperation with the clinical laboratory are essential for an effective TDM system. Naturally, an effective TDM process requires a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach with input from doctors, nurses, and clinical pharmacists.

Recruitment and retention strategies for hospital laboratory personnel in urban and rural settings

Laboratory directors and administrators play vital roles in the recruitment and retention processes of their employees. A total of 71 laboratory directors from hospitals across 51 counties in Tennessee responded to questionnaires regarding recruitment and retention strategies. Respondents reported strategies for recruitment and retention, which were agreed to be effective by management. Overall, these major strategies were consistent regardless of geographic location and limited differences were noted with regard to urban-rural locations. The findings that varied significantly between urban and rural locations included: 1) rural employees needed additional supervision; 2) rural hospitals relied on local residents more so than urban hospitals; 3) rural laboratory administrators noted more limited access to resources; and the 4) lower effectiveness of recruitment agencies and family relocation programs for rural hospitals. This is significant given the disparities often associated with rural areas, and the potential to develop more successful recruitment and retention strategies for those areas. Active managers in clinical laboratory science programs in the hospital setting should note effective strategies for both, recruitment and retention of personnel, and note the potential impact of geography on such processes.

The impact of RAC audits on US hospitals

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) authorized a three-year demonstration program using recovery audit contractors (RACs) to identify and correct improper payments in the Medicare Fee-For-Service program. More recently, Section 6411 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded the RAC program to include the Medicaid program. This shows the Cent ers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) believe RAC audits are a cost-effective method to ensure health care providers are paid correctly and thereby protect the Medicare Trust Fund. RAC audits are highly complex and require significant manpower to handle the large volume of requests received during a short period of time. Additionally, the RAC audit appeal process is complicated and requires a high level of technical expertise. The demonstration project found that RAC audits resulted in sizeable amounts of overpayments collected ("take-backs") from many providers. This research study assesses the potential impact of the RAC audit program on US acute care hospitals. Data obtained from CMS show that RAC overpayments collected for FY 2010 were $75.4 million, increased to $797.4 million in FY 2011, and increased to $986.2 million in the first six months of FY 2012. According to the American Hospital Association (AHA) RACTrac audit survey, the vast majority of these collections represent complex denials where hospitals are required to provide medical record documents in support of their billed claims. This study found that the RAC audit program collections are increasing significantly over time. As a result, these collections are having a significant negative impact on the profitability of US hospitals.