The fifth chapter in the Medical Laboratory Automation Review focuses on new and emerging medical device technologies that can be used in the clinical laboratory setting. Examples are diagnostic machines used to measure a patient’s blood pressure and other laboratory tests such as those used to determine the effectiveness of medication. Other new technologies that are being tested in this chapter include automated imaging systems for mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, computed tomography, and x-ray machines. One new software program called eConect is being used to automate the collection, storage, analysis, and retrieval of clinical laboratory information. Another software program called PLM Suite is being used in the cardiac rehabilitation setting to improve the accuracy of patient records.
In the second chapter of this six-part series on advances in clinical laboratory automation, we look at how technological advancements have affected clinical laboratories over time. The first chapter looked at some of the earliest and most significant advances in laboratory information technology. These early developments were driven by a need for accurate and comprehensive information regarding the physical properties of living patients. For example, one of the main constraints placed on medical researchers was the lack of accurate measurements of blood pressures and vital signs of patients. An early mechanical valve controlled by hand exerted tremendous force on the measuring instrument thereby reducing its accuracy.
The second chapter covers more recent technological innovations. One of these is the application of digital cameras to real-time video conferencing. Digital video conferencing is rapidly replacing the old face-to-face format of communicating through audio signals. The next chapter covers product introductions for these new technologically advanced products. These introductions range from medical devices such as blood pressure monitors and pulse oximeters to productivity tools such as computerized pallet racking systems and handheld bar code scanners.
Advances In Clinical Laboratory Automation
The final chapter addresses challenges and topics unique to the healthcare industry. These include emerging specialty areas and the role of certified medical secretaries in these fields. Medical secretaries are not technicians per se; rather, they work in close collaboration with nurses, physicians, and other medical staff members to ensure the efficient workflow of various treatment and research facilities. They also play an important role in ensuring that workflow issues do not slow down the productivity of treatment processes. These advances in clinical laboratory automation are expected to increase the number of women employed in healthcare clinical laboratories.
One of the areas of focus in this book is the application of automation to several areas of the diagnostic process. This includes advanced chemistry and DNA analysis, pharmacology, solid state chemistry, and pharmacogenetics. In addition, this book reviews the application of automated analysis to the field of clinical toxicology device technologies. One example of this application is a clinical toxicology device that can test substances for heavy metals in human plasma. In addition, this chapter also reviews applications of electrochemical energy and water purification to various areas of the clinical laboratory automation.
This book contains over 250 pages of text and more than 50 illustrations. The primary focus of the book is the information and data collection involved in medical laboratory tests. Therefore, many of the applications and demonstrations are done partially in text and partially in pictures. Although the book has many practical demonstrations and hands-on examples, the reader should not assume that all examples are performed using the latest equipment and machines in most medical laboratories. Instead, the reader should be prepared to perform a similar test or procedure in their own laboratories using older equipment.
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