Role of Point-of-Care Diagnostics in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries and Austere Environments

Article Hematology

Non-invasive hemoglobin estimation for preoperative anemia screening

Kevin D. Hornedo-Gonzalez et al.

Summary: This study found that the use of the Masimo Pronto Pulse CO-Oximeter for estimating blood hemoglobin concentrations is feasible but has limited accuracy in ruling out anemia.

TRANSFUSION (2023)

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Article Emergency Medicine

Diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) for shoulder dislocations and reductions in the emergency department: a diagnostic randomised control trial (RCT)

Mark Anthony Attard Biancardi et al.

Summary: The study showed that adding PoCUS to physical examination significantly improved diagnostic accuracy for shoulder dislocations, proximal humeral fractures, and reduction confirmation.

EMERGENCY MEDICINE JOURNAL (2022)

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Review Immunology

A review on point of care tests in parasitology

Ujjala Ghoshal et al.

Summary: This review discusses various point-of-care tests available for neglected parasitic diseases, crucial for accurate diagnosis and control. POCT can be used to screen populations, detect asymptomatic carriers, and monitor elimination programs. Researchers are focusing on integrated platforms and innovative technologies to make POCT more affordable and suitable for low resource settings.

INDIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY (2022)

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Article Medical Informatics

Concordance of three point of care testing devices with clinical chemistry laboratory standard assays and patient-reported outcomes of blood sampling methods

Z. Yonel et al.

Summary: The POCT devices demonstrated acceptable concordance with laboratory-based assays, and patients reported lower levels of discomfort compared to traditional means of blood collection.

BMC MEDICAL INFORMATICS AND DECISION MAKING (2022)

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Review Medicine, General & Internal

Task shifting for point of care ultrasound in primary healthcare in low- and middle-income countries-a systematic review

Seth Kofi Abrokwa et al.

Summary: This review examines the benefits and challenges of task shifting for point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in primary healthcare settings in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). The findings suggest that task shifting for POCUS has the potential to expand diagnostic imaging capacity and improve patient management and outcomes. However, high training costs, poor electricity and internet connectivity remain significant barriers to successful implementation.

ECLINICALMEDICINE (2022)

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Article Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging

Resident perception on the impact of point-of-care ultrasound in clinical care at a family medicine training program in Zambia

Matthew S. Haldeman et al.

Summary: This study implemented a longitudinal point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training program in a Family Medicine residency in Zambia. The results showed that resident physicians perceived POCUS to be very helpful in their clinical decision-making, particularly in making diagnoses. These findings support the need to advance POCUS education at the residency level in low- and middle-income countries.

ULTRASOUND JOURNAL (2022)

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Article

Ultrasound

Amber Bledsoe et al.

Anesthesiology Clinics (2021)

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Review Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries: a scattered picture

Katia Iskandar et al.

Summary: Comprehensive population-based surveillance data on antimicrobial resistance is lacking, especially in low- and middle-income countries facing challenges such as weak laboratory capacity and poor health information systems. Poor data quality hinders effective monitoring and tackling of antimicrobial resistance.

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND INFECTION CONTROL (2021)

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Article

Point of Care Ultrasound on Labor and Delivery

Kaitlyn E. Neumann et al.

Anesthesiology Clinics (2021)

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Article Critical Care Medicine

Point-of-care ultrasound for treatment and triage in austere military environments

Christophe Dubecq et al.

Summary: Ultrasound plays a valuable role in managing mass casualties, improving treatment and triage in austere environments where surgical resources are limited. It can confirm or exclude suspected diagnoses, change surgical priorities, and optimize prehospital therapeutic choices.

JOURNAL OF TRAUMA AND ACUTE CARE SURGERY (2021)

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Review Anesthesiology

Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Applications in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Timothy T. Tran et al.

Summary: This review highlights the diverse applications of point-of-care ultrasound in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in managing infectious diseases, abdominal and pulmonary pathologies. Point-of-care ultrasound, as a low-cost imaging modality, plays a significant role in diagnosing and treating diseases in these countries, while also providing opportunities for research in the field of anesthesiology.

CURRENT ANESTHESIOLOGY REPORTS (2021)

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Article Health Care Sciences & Services