An ultra-concise, evidence-based guide to the initial patient encounter Point of Care Medicine delivers the most patient-care information in the least amount of words possible. Within its pages you will find the evidence-based information necessary to immediately manage the most common problems occurring in hospitalized adult patients--ranging from chest pain and renal failure to anemia and complications of pregnancy.

The underlying technology and the range of test parameters available are evolving rapidly. The primary advantage of POCT is the convenience of performing the test close to the patient and the speed at which test results can be obtained, compared to sending a sample to a laboratory and waiting for results to be returned. Thus, a series of clinical applications are possible that can shorten the time for clinical decision-making about additional testing or therapy, as delays are no longer caused by preparation of clinical samples, transport, and central laboratory analysis. Tests in a POC format can now be found for many medical disciplines including endocrinology/diabetes, cardiology, nephrology, critical care, fertility, hematology/coagulation, infectious disease and microbiology, and general health screening. Point-of-care testing (POCT) enables health care personnel to perform clinical laboratory testing near the patient. The idea of conventional and POCT laboratory services presiding within a hospital seems contradictory; yet, they are, in fact, complementary: together POCT and central laboratory are important for the optimal functioning of diagnostic processes. They complement each other, provided that a dedicated POCT coordination integrates the quality assurance of POCT into the overall quality management system of the central laboratory. The motivation of the third edition of the POCT book from Luppa/Junker, which is now also available in English, is to explore and describe clinically relevant analytical techniques, organizational concepts for application and future perspectives of POCT. From descriptions of the opportunities that POCT can provide to the limitations that clinician’s must be cautioned about, this book provides an overview of the many aspects that challenge those who choose to implement POCT. Technologies, clinical applications, networking issues and quality regulations are described as well as a survey of future technologies that are on the future horizon. The editors have spent considerable efforts to update the book in general and to highlight the latest developments, e.g., novel POCT applications of nucleic acid testing for the rapid identification of infectious agents. Of particular note is also that a cross-country comparison of POCT quality rules is being described by a team of international experts in this field.

A unique pocket guide to the use of ultrasound at the point of careOf value to students (medical, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant), as well as practicing physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Lately, there has been an enormous amount of interest in the use of ultrasound for both procedural and diagnostic guidance at the point of care. Although this type of instruction can be found in some textbooks, they are heavy, dense, and written for the classroom, not real-world clinical situations. Pocket Guide to POCUS is the portable, quick-hit alternative.Pocket Guide to POCUS provides trainees with the tips and reminders they may need at the point of care. Things such as what images to acquire, and how to get them, or a quick glance at pathology in comparison to a normal image. For learners at all levels, this pocket guide will hopefully reduce their fear of scanning, while preventing some of the more common pitfalls the authors have observed over their more than 50 cumulative years’ experience. Each chapter of the book is divided into four sections:•Key Images•Acquisition Tips•Interpretation and Pitfalls•Examples of PathologyThis information is conveniently located on cards that can be removed from the book and brought with you to the bedside. You can take notes on the cards, check off the scans that you’ve done, and of course, refer to them in order to provide your patients with the best care possible.

Compact, hand-carried ultrasound devices are revolutionizing how healthcare providers practice medicine in nearly every specialty. The 2nd Edition of this BMA-award-winning text features all-new chapters, a greatly expanded video library, and new review questions to keep you fully up to date with the latest technology and its applications. - Helps you interpret findings with a peer-reviewed, online video library with more than 1,000 ultrasound videos of normal and pathologic findings. These videos are complemented by anatomical illustrations and text descriptions to maximize learning. - Offers new online resources, including over 60 clinical cases and review questions in every chapter. - Features fully updated content throughout, plus all-new chapters on hemodynamics, transesophageal echocardiography, transcranial Doppler ultrasound, pediatrics, neonatology, and 2nd/3rd trimester pregnancy. - Shares the knowledge and expertise of expert contributors who are internationally recognized faculty from more than 60 institutions. - Recipient of British Medical Association's President's Choice Award and Highly Commended in Internal Medicine at the BMA Medical Book Awards 2015 (first edition).

Point-of-care testing (POCT) refers to pathology testing performed in a clinical setting at the time of patient consultation, generating a rapid test result that enables informed and timely clinical action to be taken on patient care. It offers patients greater convenience and access to health services and helps to improve clinical outcomes. POCT also provides innovative solutions for the detection and management of chronic, acute and infectious diseases, in settings including family practices, Indigenous medical services, community health facilities, rural and remote areas and in developing countries, where health-care services are often geographically isolated from the nearest pathology laboratory. A Practical Guide to Global Point-of-Care Testing shows health professionals how to set up and manage POCT services under a quality-assured, sustainable, clinically and culturally effective framework, as well as understand the wide global scope and clinical applications of POCT. The book is divided into three major themes: the management of POCT services, a global perspective on the clinical use of POCT, and POCT for specific clinical settings. Chapters within each theme are written by experts and explore wide-ranging topics such as selecting and evaluating devices, POCT for diabetes, coagulation disorders, HIV, malaria and Ebola, and the use of POCT for disaster management and in extreme environments. Figures are included throughout to illustrate the concepts, principles and practice of POCT. Written for a broad range of practicing health professionals from the fields of medical science, health science, nursing, medicine, paramedic science, Indigenous health, public health, pharmacy, aged care and sports medicine, A Practical Guide to Global Point-of-Care Testing will also benefit university students studying these health-related disciplines.

A complete full-color guide to medical laboratory test selection and test result interpretation for disorders and diagnoses specific to pediatric and neonatal populations Laboratory medicine practiced at a pediatric institution has unique characteristics specific to infants and children, who differ both metabolically and biochemically from adults. Many aspects of laboratory medicine are affected by these differences, from basic, day-to-day operational issues through test selection for pediatric-specific disorders. However, most references in laboratory medicine merely touch upon pediatrics – and offer little if any coverage of variations in testing and results for different age groups, or the many diseases and disorders most common in infants and children. Pediatric Laboratory Medicine is specifically written to fill this critical void in the literature. Now, for the first time, all important reference material concerning pediatric laboratory medicine is available in one convenient, up-to-date resource. Pediatric Laboratory Medicine teaches the effective operation of a pediatric clinical operation, and also provides guidelines for teaching trainees. This unique text delivers the how-to instruction necessary to ensure proper handling and testing of pediatric specimens to ensure accurate diagnosis. Valuable learning aids include learning objectives, end-of-chapter review questions, and references for further study. Written by experienced clinicians, the book’s seventeen chapters cover virtually every important topic – from daily issues in the practice of pediatric laboratory medicine to common tests and considerations to inborn errors of metabolism and therapeutic drug monitoring. Enhanced by numerous tables and high-quality full-color images, this authoritative resource delivers everything necessary for effective pediatric laboratory medicine training and practice.

This book serves as a comprehensive guide for integrating point-of-care ultrasound into clinical care. It includes detailed chapters on the use of ultrasound in cardiology, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics, as well as for the assessment of the abdomen, musculoskeletal system, eyes, and thorax. Over the last decade, the use of diagnostic, point-of-care ultrasound at the bedside has been widely adopted by healthcare professionals in the United States. This technology has spread into many new areas of clinical medicine and more non-radiologists are seeking training and an up-to-date resource on use of the ultrasound machine. This book provides guidance on how to best approach patients with particular problems, practical guidelines on how to operate the machine and choose probes, descriptions and illustrations that depict the patient’s position and structures that are scanned, and the anatomy and pathophysiology of each area. Practical Point-of-Care Medical Ultrasound is a valuable addition to the library of any resident, fellow, physician, or other healthcare provider who uses ultrasound in a clinical setting.