David Davis calls for blanket testing to save NHS £3bn a year

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David Davis calls for blanket testing to save NHS £3bn a year

 

Ministers are being urged to introduce mass medical testing to cut NHS costs by billions and save thousands of lives.

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis calls for mass medical testing across the whole UK population by companies which he believes will alert the NHS to potential health risks for individuals and allow for lifestyle changes and treatment before problems become serious.

Mr. Davis said, “I bring it back to the reality of individuals. If we delay diagnosis, we delay treatment – we sentence people to death. It’s as harsh as that. So one of the things I would like to see us do is dramatically increase the amount of diagnostic capacity we have.”

“My view is that actually we should break clear of the ideology. We should look to increase dramatically the amount of scans and diagnostic procedures we can create. And when I say dramatically, I mean a multiple of what we currently do and we should use the private sector to do it.

“I know it causes a bridling and a backing off but I the only way we can do it fast enough is to do that. And that will save I think about £3 billion, get the waiting lists down by millions of people but most importantly of all will save thousands of lives.”

Mr. Davis was reacting to a paper drawn up by Northern Ireland medical testing company Randox, one of the private health providers who developed Covid testing during lockdown. The paper has been drawn up by scientists at Randox, scaling up its testing capacity from 300 tests a day to 120,000 a day in less than 12 months. Overall, the firm conducted nearly 27 million tests during the pandemic.

Dr. Peter Fitzgerald, the founder of Randox, said that with the NHS waiting lists not far short of eight million people and with budgets under intense pressure, the time had come for a new partnership between the public and private sectors.

Ministers should start by convening a summit of private diagnostic firms and their NHS counterparts and investigate the potential of the enormous advances in testing technologies developed in recent years. By harnessing the startling progress made by scientists they could revolutionize standards of health care while slashing waiting lists and achieving far greater value for money.

Dr. Fitzgerald added, “Policy-makers need to appreciate the vast potential of the latest diagnostic testing technologies. They can deliver a step-change in the quality of people’s lives. By outsourcing much testing to the private sector – under a rigorous independent tendering process – the NHS can be freed up to  get on with its prime job of treating the sick.”

Under the Randox plan, the public would be invited to visit a private diagnostic clinic every year for a check-up. Results would be monitored in house by scientists who would advise people on next steps. Results would be routinely passed onto their GPs, though in many cases no further action would be needed.

GPs would ultimately decide on medical interventions and possible referral to NHS hospital services. A priority group for such tests would be the 7.7 million on NHS waiting lists. They would be assessed to see if their condition had worsened and whether urgent action was required.

High-tech comprehensive testing of the population would also reduce if not eliminate the many false positives arising from much of the diagnostic services available today.

Taken from Daily Express article by David Maddox, Political Editor.

Randox welcomed the Queen’s University staff Leadership Team to their Antrim based Randox Science Park in Antrim.

Randox were delighted to welcome the Queen’s University Belfast Leadership Team to their Antrim based headquarters, Randox Science Park on Tuesday, October 4th.

President and Vice Chancellor, Sir Ian Greer of Queen’s University was joined by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart Elborn, Head of Careers, Employability and Skills Mr Trevor Johnston, Head of Business Alliance Mr Dermot Leonard, Business Engagement Manager Mrs Joanne Mallon, Executive Director of the Global Innovation Institute Dr. David Quinn, Lead of Queen’s sustainable energy research Professor David Rooney, Dean of Research in Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Professor David Rooney, Dean of Research in Medicine, Health and, Life Sciences Professor Chris Scott, and Dean of Impact and Innovation in Medicine, Health, and Life Sciences.

The team received a presentation on Randox’s capabilities which stimulated multiple discussions in relation to research, improvements in healthcare provision, skills and the exciting future of Life and Health Sciences in Northern Ireland.

The purpose-built facilities at the site, covering research and development, engineering, manufacturing and accredited laboratories provides an unparalleled depth of diagnostic capability within a single site.

Randox employ over 2,200 staff, including 800 research scientists and engineers – all focused on improving life science diagnostic capabilities globally.

More than 5% of the world’s population (over 400 million people) receive medical diagnosis using Randox products each year. Randox have major facilities in the UK, Ireland, India, and the United States, supported by global distribution and supply networks.

 


Secretary of State visit to Randox Science Park

The Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland paid a visit to Randox Science Park on Thursday, October 19th, to discuss Randox capabilities and undertake a tour of the facilities at the Antrim site.

As leading diagnostic company from the UK & Ireland, Randox have spent over forty years improving healthcare,  with a focus on the provision of timely and accurate  testing both to improve clinical diagnosis and promote preventative healthcare.

The purpose-built facilities at the site, covering research and development, engineering, manufacturing and accredited laboratories provides an unparalleled depth of diagnostic capability with a single site.

More than 5% of the world’s population (over 400 million people) receive medical diagnosis using Randox products each year.

Randox’s proprietary Biochip Technology is the result of a £350 million investment, allowing many tests to be run simultaneously, greatly improving the diagnostic power available to clinicians. This innovative technology allowed the provision of advanced health  profiling to support both early diagnosis and the transition to preventative healthcare.

Randox Science Park is a central hub of Randox’s life science manufacturing, engineering and research and development. Randox employ over 2,200 staff, including 800 research scientists and

engineers – all focused on improving life science diagnostic capabilities globally.

Randox Science Park is one of four key manufacturing and development sites, with others located in Dungloe, County Donegal; Bangalore, India; and the Greater Washington DC area, USA. Across the UK & Ireland there is also a growing network of Randox Health Clinics.

 

 


Look after your gut and it will look after you – Goodwood Health Summit 2023

At long last the public is cottoning on to the simple but important notion of preventative health – the idea that you don’t go to the doctor after falling ill – you go before so that potential future illnesses can be identified in advance and action taken immediately.

Randox, a leader in the field of diagnostic medicine, is in the forefront of this profound change in health care – one that opens up the possibility of delivering enormous benefits to individuals and society at large.

For these reasons, we were delighted to lend our support to the recent launch of the Goodwood Gut Summit hosted by the Goodwood Estate. The summit theme was on gut microbiomes, which play a key role in promoting the smooth daily operations of our body. Broadcast online, the summit aimed to respond to the urgent need for widespread education and communication about rapid progress in dietary health.

The summit came after a stark warning contained in two landmark studies into the effects of ultra-processed foods on our diet and its effect on our microbiomes.

This newly published research concluded that eating ultra-processed foods – such as ready meals, fizzy juice, cereals, and fast food – drastically increases our risk of serious health issues, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. It can also raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes. BBC journalist Justin Webb led the conversation with a world-class line-up of speakers, including, Dr Chris van Tulleken, Jessie Inchauspé, Dr James Kinross, Professor Pekka Puska and Professor Edward Bullmore.

Topics covered included inflammation, mental health and the microbiome , insulin, obesity, ultra-processed foods , the growing cost of poor nutrition, and the need to drive fundamental shifts in our food systems in order to move to a healthier future for all.

There was a discussion on using the many curbs on the promotion and sale of tobacco as a model for the food industry. Tighter regulation of food manufacturers and their marketing strategies could be the way forward here. As authorities in their respective fields, the speakers shared their knowledge and vision on these important topics, as well as considered new solutions to personal and societal health challenges, helping the formulation of some key achievable goals.

The partnership with the summit is underpinned by two Randox Laboratory divisions.

Randox Food Diagnostics is dedicated to improving the global food security chain. It provides the global food market with screening solutions for antimicrobials, toxins, growth-promoting hormones and veterinary drugs in animals and animal produce, as well as testing meat, milk, honey, grapes, seafood and feed products.

Food product testing is essential to ensure that what we consume is safe from physical, chemical, and biological hazards. It tells people precisely what they are eating and so helps them make informed choices and makes sure that goods on the supermarket shelves comply with safety standards.

Randox Health, the consumer-facing side of Randox Laboratories, is primarily focused on accessible, preventative health testing and offers full body health checks that identify early signs of disease before symptoms occur.

 

What is gut microbiome?

Picture a bustling city on a weekday morning, the pavements flooded with people rushing to get to work or to appointments. Now imagine this at a microscopic level and you have an idea of what the microbiome looks like inside our bodies, consisting of trillions of microorganisms (also called microbiota or microbes) of thousands of different species.

These include not only bacteria but fungi, parasites, and viruses. In a healthy person, these “bugs” coexist peacefully, with the largest numbers found in the small and large intestines but also throughout the body. The microbiome is even labeled a supporting organ because it plays so many key roles in promoting the smooth daily operations of the human body.

A person is first exposed to microorganisms as an infant, during delivery in the birth canal and through the mother’s breast milk. Later on, environmental exposures and diet can change our microbiomes to be either beneficial to health or to place one at greater risk for disease. Read more about it here(https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/microbiome/)

More info on Randox Food Diagnostics: Randox food diagnostics-randoxfood.com

To book a health test please follow the link below; Randox Health-randoxhealth.com

Book your stay at the Goodwood Gut Health programme, that includes a Randox panel of testing; www.goodwood.com/visit-eat-stay/health-wellbeing/wellness-retreats/gut-health-programme/


Industry And Academic Partnership in Developing Type 1 Diabetes Genetic Risk Biochip

The development of a diagnostic biochip to assess the genetic risk of individuals developing type 1 Diabetes, is the result of a successful partnership between leading diagnostics company, Randox and the University of Exeter.

The following case study has been prepared on the dynamic biochip’s development. With significant potential for further advancements in research and diagnostics, this active collaboration highlights how industry and academia can work together to accelerate healthcare innovation.

As a professor in Diabetes at the University of Exeter Medical School, Dr. Richard Oram specializes in the study of the biology of beta cell loss in type 1 diabetes and the clinical impact of persistent beta cell function. Working alongside Professor Michael Wheedon and Professor Andrew Hattersley, in 2014, Dr. Oram developed a method of assessing genetic risk as a single number – a genetic risk score (GRS) – that can be used to help classify what type of diabetes people have and predict future typ1 1 diabetes but to deliver a clinical test, the research would need a collaborative partnership with a global innovator in healthcare diagnostics.

Unlocking the potential of a type 1 diabetes GRS

Dr. Oram’s early research on type 1 Diabetes included studying people with varying levels of  beta cell destruction and the study of extreme early-onset type 1 diabetes diagnosed in infants under a year old. One key question was whether aggregating data for someone’s genetic risk for type 1 diabetes could be turned into a single number – a genetic risk score  and could be used to help understand the disease process or even correctly identify the type of diabetes someone had.

In parallel, it’s become increasingly apparent that there is a significant issue of incorrect classification of type 1 diabetes, affecting treatment and complications risk. Dr. Oram asked that if a ‘person’ sits in the overlap of whether they might have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, can their genes be used to help understand the disease process or even correctly identify the type of diabetes someone had.

Revolutionizing diagnosis with the type 1 diabetes GRS diagnostic tool

With the common confusion and misdiagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it’s estimated that up to half of people with diabetes receive the wrong treatment. This information was a good indicator that a diagnostic test would be a simple method of correct diagnosis. But alongside accurate type 1 and type 2 diabetes diagnosis, the GRS research and classification model can also help:

● Identification diagnostics to understand which people with diabetes may have a genetic mutation causing it and need genome sequencing to make the diagnosis

● Predictive diagnostics to learn whether someone will develop diabetes in the future

All research showed that it was relatively easy to generate a GRS for Richard and the team’s studies and that it was clinically valuable. The next step was to translate the research into a user-friendly and affordable diagnostic test that can be widely adopted worldwide – and find a healthcare diagnostics company that could make it a reality.

Industry and academia partnerships to accelerate innovation

Together, both Randox and the University of Exeter highlight the continued importance of improving disease prediction and prevention, the collaboration showcases the power of interdisciplinary partnerships between industry and academia in advancing healthcare.

Over a four-year period, Randox developed a biochip that uses genetic markers and a robust algorithm to assess an individual’s genetic risk for type 1 diabetes accurately. Randox’s expertise in the development, manufacture, and regulatory approval of the biochip made it a reality all driven by discovery research and a clinical understanding from Dr. Oram.

With neither team being able to achieve the same results without the other, recognizing the strengths both sides can offer to accelerate healthcare innovation is the key to a successful industry/academia partnership.
As a first-generation type 1 diabetes biochip, Dr. Oram continues collaborative research with Randox to advance its potential. And to further the partnership, Randox has committed a research grant of over £2m to study genetic risk scores for other autoimmune diseases, including coeliac disease and multiple sclerosis.

For more information please visit: www.medicine.exeter.ac.uk/clinical-biomedical/business-engagement-innovation


Effortless Data Management: Acusera 24.7 Reports

You’ve carried out your daily maintenance and run your IQC. You’ve got your results and now it’s time to type them up into one of your expansive spreadsheets. Reports

You’ve probably got your spreadsheet set up to calculate the required parameters already, but what if there’s an error in the formula? Or what if you make an error when entering your data? Or worse, what if you try to open the spreadsheet only to find that the file is corrupted or lost? If your Excel file is there, someone else might already be editing it, meaning you must wait until they’re finished before you can make any changes.

Even if you face none of these obstacles the labour-intensive statistics needed for performance review and validation might just keep you up at night.

Well, with Acusera 24.7, these concerns are history.

Whether you make use of our automated or semi-automated data entry options, you can be sure that the data put into the system is exactly that returned by your instrument. If you use the manual data entry option, we can’t remove the human error element – but with our simple and intuitive interface, we trust you’ll be flawless anyway. What’s more, the cloud-based nature of our software also means you won’t lose the data by mistake and unique access for each user allows multiple people to be logged in at the same time.

 

So, what next?

Well, you can view this data on our dashboard for fast and easy access to your results but delve a little deeper into Acusera 24.7 and you can access comprehensive, easy-to-read, customisable, reports designed to speed up the review process.

These reports include statistical analysis, exception reports, peer group statistics, uncertainty of measurement and advanced statistical metrics. The latter two we’ll look at in a dedicated article. For the others, however, let’s dive in and see how you could benefit from our range of extensive reports.

Statistical Analysis Reports

The first report we will look at is the statistical analysis report. This report allows you to view your IQC data from a specified date range, and compare it to your cumulative data, that is, all the IQC data you’ve collected since you began using that lot, as well as the peer group data for the same lot all within one screen. If you are part of a chain of laboratories, you can compare this data with your laboratory group to see how your lab stacks up by using the World/Group toggle button.

This report provides you with the count, mean, SD, CV, SDI and CVI for a lot and can be organised by assay, as shown in the image below, instrument, or method, allowing you full freedom to customise this report to suit your needs. Don’t forget, like all our reports and charts, this data is fully exportable to PDF or Excel for filing or data review.

Handy, right? This report provides you with everything you need to carry out the validation and verification of new IQC lots, plus much more. We’ll look at this in more detail in an upcoming article.

Exception Reports

If you wish to determine your best and worst-performing tests, our exception report is perfect for you. This report is designed to quickly and easily identify assays with a high percentage of errors. The exception report provides an on-screen summary of the number of QC results for each individual assay and control lot that fall within the following categories: <2SD, 2-3SD and >3SD. This comprehensive performance review can be filtered: by clicking on the top of the ‘>3DSI’ column, this report will display assays in descending order with your worst-performing assays at the top, as shown below.

Filtering by ‘<2SDI’, it will display the same data with your best-performing assays at the top.

With this information, you can determine in which of your assay’s failures most often occur and encourage staff to look a little more closely at why failures arise and identify changes to improve and minimise errors.

Peer Group Statistics Reports

Now that you have figured out the performance of your assays, you’ll want to see how you compare with others running the same tests. Our Peer Group Statistics Report is your new best friend.

Updated live and in real-time, with no submission deadlines, you can compare your statistics to those of your peer group, determined by analyte, method, instrument manufacturer and model.

Simply select the IQC lot you wish to analyse and Acusera 24.7 will generate the data for you, displaying the count of QC data, mean, SD and CV, giving you comprehensive insight into your performance vs your peers.

You can customise this report even further. If you select an analyte, we’ll show you the data for that analyte alone. If not, we’ll show you the information for all analytes related to that lot. The same goes for specifying a date range – if you choose a range, we’ll show you the data inside that range alone. If not, we’ll show you all the data for your chosen lot.

By clicking on the headers, you can filter the data – 1 click will display the data in ascending order, 2 will show you a list in descending order and 3 clicks will reset the table.

When these reports are combined with the other impressive features of Acusera 24.7, like our fully customisable charts or advanced statistical analysis, this software can help streamline your IQC procedure and data review process.

When the accreditors come knocking, others will be scuffling around trying to gather multitudes of reports and files, but you will be sitting with a smile on your face and your feet up, because you’ve got Acusera 24.7.

With full onboarding assistance and technical support that’s top-of-the-class, you’ll always have someone to help you get to the bottom of any problems that you face.

If you haven’t already booked a demo, get in touch with us today and let us show you how much time we can save you with this innovative and intuitive software. Alternatively, take a look at our Resource Hub for some material on Acusera 24.7 or Acusera IQC.

To streamline your QC Data analysis, get in touch with us at marketing@randox.com. 


Acute Kidney Injury and Antimicrobial Stewardship

Acute Kidney Injury and Antimicrobial Stewardship

An estimated 1 in 5 hospital admissions in the UK is associated with acute kidney injury1, providing a clear illustration of the need for novel, rapid detection methods. Our latest whitepaper looks at this common condition and the links between Acute Kidney Injury and Antimicrobial Stewardship. For more details on the things discussed in this article, you can download the full whitepaper below.

Download Whitepaper

Acute Kidney Injury

Acute Kidney Injury is defined as a sudden loss of kidney function. This causes a disruption in the kidneys’ ability to filter waste out of your blood resulting in an accumulation of waste products as well as other imbalances.

The loss of kidney function is the result of a sudden reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the process through which waste is extracted from the blood and is often reversible2.

Aetiology of Acute Kidney Injury

The differential pressure existing between the glomerulus and Bowman’s is the driving mechanism for glomerular filtration2. This pressure contrast is influenced by the combined resistances of the afferent (leading to the glomerulus) and efferent (leading away from the glomerulus) vascular pathways in the kidney. Under normal kidney function, these resistances are in equilibrium, facilitating the proper functioning of the GFR. For example, an increase in efferent resistance restricts the blood flow out of the kidney, elevating pressure inside the kidney and reducing GFR, and vice versa2. However, in AKI, the decline in renal blood flow and GFR has a pathological origin. The pathophysiology of AKI can be classified as prerenal, intrinsic renal, or postrenal.

The ultrafiltration process in the kidney. Glomerular Filtration Rate. Acute Kidney Injury.
This diagram shows the process of ultrafiltration in the kidney. Blood enters the glomerulus through the afferent arteriole. Blood pressure in the glomerulus is high, causing water and dissolved substances to filter out the blood in the glomerular capillaries, across the Bowman’s capsule and into the renal tubules. The resulting fluid is called the glomerular filtrate. This filtrate then undergoes further modification through reabsorption and secretion, before finally being excreted as urine.

Pre-renal Acute Kidney Injury

Pre-renal AKI is caused by reduced afferent blood flow or, in other words, increased afferent resistance. While tubular and glomerular functions generally remain intact, pre-renal AKI may be caused by systemic hypoperfusion (decreased blood flow) or selective hypoperfusion to the kidney, caused by renal artery stenosis or aortic dissection3.

Intrinsic Renal Acute Kidney Injury

Renal AKI describes the conditions which affect the glomerulus or tubule, for example, acute tubular necrosis and acute interstitial nephritis. This collection of conditions is associated with vasoconstrictor expression in renal afferent pathways2.

Post-renal Acute Kidney Injury

Post-renal AKI usually results from an obstruction in the filtration system. Causes of obstruction include kidney stones, tumours, or blood clots, commonly in the bladder outlet. Obstruction affecting one side might not invariably lead to acute kidney injury, especially when the impediment develops slowly, such as with tumour growth. This is because the unaffected kidney might be able to adjust and make up for the compromised functionality3

Symptoms & Treatment

AKI often manifests with decreased urine output as its primary symptom. However, additional symptoms, when present, can encompass fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or confusion4. To achieve an accurate diagnosis, a comprehensive review of the patient’s medical history and a physical examination are essential to identify the underlying cause of the condition.

The treatment and management of AKI are contingent upon the root cause of the condition. In milder cases, measures are implemented to maintain appropriate levels of fluid, electrolytes, and blood pressure. Nutritional support may also be administered when necessary. In the most severe instances of AKI, dialysis may be warranted to compensate for the diminished kidney function5.

Creatinine serves as a valuable diagnostic tool for evaluating renal conditions, including kidney health, GFR, and muscular dystrophy. However, abnormal serum creatinine (SCr) levels only become evident when a significant portion of the renal mass is compromised. The kidneys possess an impressive capacity to adapt to reduced function, which means that a considerable loss of function or GFR is necessary to influence SCr levels. This poses a challenge when it comes to early detection of AKI6.

Novel biomarkers, KIM-1, NGAL, Clusterin, and Cystatin C, are associated with AKI2 and can be analysed through molecular testing. These new methods can provide a fast and accurate assessment of an individual’s kidney health, at a much earlier stage than SCr quantification2.

Antimicrobial Stewardship

Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) programs are specifically crafted to enhance the efficiency of antimicrobial utilization, curtail the emergence of Antimicrobiasl Resistance (AMR), and enhance patient outcomes7. These programs encompass a variety of approaches, such as educational initiatives, training, the establishment of guidelines and protocols, ongoing monitoring and feedback regarding antimicrobial usage, and the management of antimicrobial formularies. Through the promotion of prudent antibiotic utilization, AMS programs contribute to the safeguarding of the efficacy of currently available antimicrobial agents and the deceleration of AMR development7.

Antibiotics and Acute Kidney Injury

Various antibiotics are associated with the progression of AKI due to their nephrotoxicity which can cause severe damage to the kidneys. These antibiotics include polymyxins, aminoglycosides and the commonly used, vancomycin8.

Acute Kidney Injury & Antimicrobial Stewardship

Randox Renal Injury Detection

Using the patented Biochip Technology, the Randox Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) array, available on the Evidence Investigator, simultaneously tests for four novel biomarkers (KIM-1, NGAL, Clusterin, Cystatin C) delivering an early diagnosis and monitoring of treatment efficacy. Multiplex testing better captures reduced renal function, as each biomarker reflects different mechanisms that result in similar injury outputs, allowing for a more accurate picture of the underlying cause of AKI. Along with being able to identify AKI at a much earlier stage, this array provides an accurate and sensitive solution for the diagnosis and monitoring of AKI.

If you’d like some more information on the Randox Acute Kidney Injury Array or would like to add this technology to your laboratory, take a look at our website at https://www.randox.com/acute-kidney-injury/ or get in touch today at marketing@randox.com.

References

  1. NICE. How common is it? Acute Kidney Injury . Published July 2023. Accessed October 2, 2023. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/acute-kidney-injury/background-information/prevalence/
  2. Adiyanti SS, Loho T. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Biomarker.; 2012.
  3. Manzoor H, Bhatt H. Prerenal Kidney Failure.; 2023.
  4. NHS. Acute Kidney Injury. NHS. Published 2023. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acute-kidney-injury/
  5. Goyal A, Daneshpajouhnejad P, Hashmi M, Bashir K. Acute Kidney Injury . In: StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing ; 2023.
  6. Rule AD, Lieske JC. The estimated glomerular filtration rate as a test for chronic kidney disease: Problems and solutions. Cleve Clin J Med. 2011;78(3):186-188. doi:10.3949/ccjm.78a.11004
  7. Baur D, Gladstone BP, Burkert F, et al. Effect of antibiotic stewardship on the incidence of infection and colonisation with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and Clostridium difficile infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2017;17(9):990-1001. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(17)30325-0
  8. Clifford KM, Selby AR, Reveles KR, et al. The Risk and Clinical Implications of Antibiotic-Associated Acute Kidney Injury: A Review of the Clinical Data for Agents with Signals from the Food and Drug Administration’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Database. Antibiotics. 2022;11(10):1367. doi:10.3390/antibiotics11101367

 


National Cholesterol Month

National Cholesterol Month

 

Foe or Friend? Your Health is your Wealth.

It’s National Cholesterol Month, time to raise awareness on the dangers high cholesterol can have on your body and the strain it can have on your precious heart, the centre piece and vital organ that keeps you alive and pumps blood to every corner of your body.

 

Cardiovascular disease is the leading killer, claiming 17.9 million lives globally each year. 80% of these are due to strokes and heart attacks. Its not too late to get checked out and to alter your lifestyle habits.

 

Randox Laboratories provides a comprehensive range of reagents for Cardiovascular disease with sdLDL providing detailed testing of cholesterol levels and overall Cardiovascular Health, see more in the blog below.

 

Cholesterol can be a friend, but it can also be a foe. Maybe you associate bad cholesterol with the result of being overweight, this is not always the case, without a balanced diet, essential exercise, you are at risk of being in the cholesterol danger zone.

Small dense Low-Density Lipoprotein (sdLDL) carries cholesterol to and from cells in the body, it is one of two proteins. However, it is more atherogenic than LDL cholesterol meaning it has a higher tendency to leave fatty deposits in the blood and has a greater ability to block arteries.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is key for progression and development of cardiovascular disease and plague build up (atherosclerosis). LDL has a couple of subclasses sdLDL being one, making it a more reliable marker for the discovery and testing of cardiovascular issues.

 

sdLDL has a significantly greater atherogenic potential than LDL sub-group. This makes the portion of sdLDL a better marker to predict cardiovascular disease and issues than LDL. It provides a greater understanding of lipoprotein risk within patients; it is more comprehensive in detecting cardiovascular risk in comparison to the original LDL-C test. It is a valuable screening tool in allowing to detect for diseases and abnormalities in the cardiovascular system. As sdLDL-C is particularly atherogenic, a person with elevated sdLDL-C levels has a 3-fold increased risk of myocardial infarction.

Randox provides the “only direct automated sdLDL-C kit on the market, The Randox sdLDL-C ‘Ex-Seiken’ test is a direct method for the quantitative determination of sdLDL-C using automated chemistry analysers, capable of accommodating two-reagent assays. The assay consists of two steps and is based on the use of well-characterised surfactants and enzymes that selectively react with certain groups of lipoproteins.”

Benefits include,

  • Direct, automated test for convenience and efficiency
  • Rapid analysis results can be produced in as little as ten minutes, facilitating faster patient diagnosis and treatment plan implementation.
  • Good correlation to the gold standard ultracentrifugation method
  • Liquid ready-to-use reagents for convenience and ease of use
  • Applications available detailing instrument specific settings for a wide range of analysers
  • Clearance method sdLDL-C controls and calibrator available.

Foe or Friend? Your Health is your Wealth.

References

Fernandez-Alvarez R, Gonzalez-Rodriguez AP, Gonzalez E, Rubio-Castro A, Dominguez-Iglesias F, et al. Serum Ferritin as Prognostic Marker in Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Treated With ABVD-based Therapy. Leukemia & Lymphoma . 2015;56(11):3096-3102. 

Randox (2023) Ferritin: Reagents, Randox Laboratories. Available at: https://www.randox.com/ferritin/ (Accessed: 20 September 2023). 

Rosário C, Zandman-Goddard G, Meyron-Holtz EG, D’Cruz DP, Shoenfeld Y. The hyperferritinemic syndrome: macrophage activation syndrome, Still’s disease, septic shock and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome. BMC Medicine . 2013;11(185). 

Sharma J, Sharma R. A prognostic marker in patients with sepsis in pediatric age group: A prospective cohort study. International Journal of Medical and Health Research . 2018;4(3):86-89. 

The Royal College of Pathologists. Guidance on the Use and Interpretation of Clinical Biochemistry Tests in Patients with COVID-19 Infection.; 2020. Accessed September 18, 2023. https://www.rcpath.org/uploads/assets/3f1048e5-22ea-4bda-953af20671771524/G217-RCPath-guidance-on-use-and-interpretation-of-clinical-biochemistry-tests-in-patients-with-COVID-19-infection.pdf 

World Health Organisation. WHO Guideline on Use of Ferritin Concentrations to Assess Iron Status in Individuals and Populations.; 2020. Accessed September 18, 2023. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240000124 


World Heart Day

World Heart Day!

 

The powerhouse of the body, beating 100,00 times every day, pumping eight pints of blood, through an intertwining network of blood vessels. Delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles and the vital organs of the body. The centrepiece, what keeps us alive, the heart!

Why put strain on the very thing that keeps us alive? The heart is the most important muscle working constantly, embracing a healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of developing a stroke or heart attack, and can prevent cardiovascular disease. No matter your age young or old, you can begin to take care of your heart. Making healthier choices, watching what you eat, exercising regularly are all good habits to start or continue to look after your precious heart.

 

Randox Laboratories offer a wide selection of Reagents specifically for Lipid testing. Lipid tests are the most important cardiac risk tests. They assess an individual’s risk of a stroke or heart attack and can provide an indication if someone is going to have a cardiac episode, caused by blockages of arteries and blood vessels. Lipid tests screen for abnormalities of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, allowing for preventative measures to take place to reduce the chances of cardiovascular diseases.

Complete lipid profiles consist of HDL Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol and Triglycerides. These profiles measure the current cholesterol and triglycerides levels also, measuring potential emerging risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

 

‘Benefits of Randox’s Lipid testing includes;

Enhanced convenience with liquid ready-to-use reagents (Triglycerides kits also come in lyophilised form)

Excellent correlation to reference methods for security of accurate results

Applications for a wide range of clinical chemistry analysers

Wide measuring ranges able to comfortably detect abnormal lipid levels.

Cost effectiveness for even small throughput labs – all lipid assays are stable to expiry when stored at 2-8⁰C (except for Triglyceride kits, stable for 21 days)’

 

Randox provides the “only direct automated sdLDL-C kit on the market, The Randox sdLDL-C test, is a direct method for the quantitative determination of sdLDL-C using automated chemistry analysers, capable of accommodating two-reagent assays. The assay consists of two steps, and is based on the use of well-characterised surfactants and enzymes, that selectively react with certain groups of lipoproteins.

 

Benefits include,

Direct, automated test for convenience and efficiency

Rapid analysis results can be produced in as little as ten minutes, facilitating faster patient diagnosis and treatment plan implementation.

Good correlation to the gold standard ultracentrifugation method

Liquid ready-to-use reagents for convenience and ease of use

Applications available detailing instrument specific settings for a wide range of analysers

Clearance method sdLDL-C controls and calibrator available.

 

One of Randox’s Reagents offered is the Lipoprotein (a) assay known as Lp(a). It is similar to LDL cholesterol but a lot more viscous.

High levels of lipoprotein can clog arteries very easily, leading to the potential of a stroke or cardiovascular disease at any age. Lp(a) is made in the liver containing fat and protein, their main role is to carry lipids around the body. Lp(a) remains relatively stable over a lifespan and is determined predominantly through genetics. Just a single Lp(a) test is believed to be enough to improve accuracy of a cardiovascular risk assessment. Repeat testing can also be initiated if a secondary cause is suspected, or therapeutic measures to lower Lp(a) levels have been investigated.

 

Benefits of the Lp(a) assay;

WHO/IFCC Reference Material

Dedicated Five-Point Calibrator Available

Excellent Correlation

Excellent Precision

Liquid Ready-To-Use

Applications Available

 

References

BHF (2023) How your heart works, British Heart Foundation. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/how-a-healthy-heart-works (Accessed: 19 September 2023).

Family Doctor (2023) Keeping Your Heart Healthy, familydoctor.org. Available at: https://familydoctor.org/keeping-heart-healthy/ (Accessed: 19 September 2023).

Heart UK (2023) High lipoprotein(a), What Is High lipoprotein(a)? | Cholesterol Conditions | HEART UK. Available at: https://www.heartuk.org.uk/genetic-conditions/high-lipoproteina (Accessed: 20 September 2023).

Randox (2023b) Lipid: Reagents, Randox Laboratories. Available at: https://www.randox.com/lipid-reagent (Accessed: 19 September 2023).


Charting the Course to Laboratory Excellence

Are you still using spreadsheets for your QC data and Charts?

You’ve been left behind.

But don’t worry!

Your laboratory’s ultimate ally in the quest for precision and excellence has arrived.

Acusera 24.7 is a tool that not only streamlines your QC data but also empowers you with a treasure trove of invaluable charts.

These charts are more than just numbers and lines; they are your secret weapon for troubleshooting, achieving accreditation, and driving continuous process improvement.

Acusera 24.7 doesn’t just offer charts. It offers a symphony of insights at your fingertips. From the precision of interactive Levey-Jennings charts to the competitive edge of performance summary charts for peer group comparison, from the rhythm of weekly mean charts to the clarity of reliable SD histograms – these charts are your compass in the world of quality control.

The best part?

You’re in control.

Tailor these charts to your unique needs, whether you’re dealing with single or multiple analytes, an abundance of QC lots, fixed or variable SDs, or need to pinpoint data within a specific date range.

Join us on a journey through the world of Acusera 24.7’s charts, where data becomes your strategic advantage, and discover why more laboratories are choosing Acusera 24.7 for QC data management every day.

Levey-Jennings Charts

Every laboratorian has seen countless Levey-Jennings charts and for good reason.

These charts are the unsung heroes of quality control in the laboratory.

They offer a visual snapshot of data over time, helping to detect trends, outliers, and systematic errors that might otherwise go unnoticed. Levey-Jennings charts are like the heartbeat monitor of your laboratory, providing real-time insights into the health of your analytical processes.

We’ve taken Levey-Jennings charts to the next level.

Our colourful graphs might look like they belong in a modern art museum, but trust me, they’re more than just eye candy.

Acusera 24.7’s Levey-Jennings charts are like the laboratory’s personal detective, sniffing out anomalies and shifts and making sure your QC data behaves.

Let’s have a look at what you can do with the Acusera 24.7 interactive Levey-Jennings charts.

The screenshot below shows a Levey-Jennings chart for a single analyte, with the date on the X-axis and SD on the Y-axis. On this chart, you can see data points displayed in different colours. Green data points indicate an acceptable result. Orange points show data that has triggered your predefined alert criteria, while red points are those that have broken your set rejection rules.

The lines marked on the chart below represent events that have been recorded. Instrument events such as calibration events or maintenance can be recorded to monitor their effects on your QC, allowing you to quickly see how these events relate to any deviations or improvements in your QC data. For example, after the event labelled ‘Reagent lot change’ you can see a series of alerts and failures. Marking this event on the chart allows for an at-a-glance explanation of this deviation. These events are completely customisable so you can record any relevant information you want!

Finally, data points that appear as a triangle indicate a comment has been added. What text is included in the comment is completely up to you!

 

The next screenshot below shows a Levey-Jennings chart containing QC data for all the tests included in the Clinical Chemistry Panel.

Acusera 24.7 panels allow you to group related tests together, helping increase the efficiency of your data review.

It looks great, right?

Maybe a little confusing.

The screenshot is perhaps a little deceptive.

When viewing these charts live, you can view the data as a whole, or home in on individual data sets by simply hovering over the data you want to see. You can also selected a deselect datasets at will by clicking on its name in the list below the chart.

The screenshot below shows an example of this.

All the charts we’ve looked at so far have had a fixed 3SD on the Y-axis.

For a more in-depth review of your data, you may wish to expand this axis.

With the click of a button, you can expand the Y-axis to include all your data points. See below for an example.

In some cases, you may wish to view this data displayed as ‘% Deviation’.

Again, with the click of a single button, you can convert the Y-axis to show just that, as shown below.

Performance Summary Charts

Peer group comparison of IQC data has a lot of benefits.

Comparing your data with other laboratories that use the same QC lot, instrument, method and more, can help you with troubleshooting and continuous process improvement.

The Acusera 24.7 Performance Summary Charts do all the work for you.

As shown in the screenshot below, these charts display your data and how it compares to your peers including mean, CV, and SD.

You can also view this data in a table to get a more detailed picture of your performance.

Like the Levey-Jennings charts, you can also combine this information for panels or a selection of multiple lots and analytes. You can see an example below:

Weekly Mean Charts

Weekly Mean Charts are one of the new features in our latest software release.

They allow you to view your weekly count of QC results for a specific instrument, assay, or lot.

Below is an example in a bar chart format.

You can also view this data as a line graph, which plots the weekly mean of results from multiple instruments using the same assay and QC lot, allowing a comprehensive overview of your QC data.

Or you can view your weekly means for a range of tests and panels.

Finally, the SD Histograms allow you to view the distribution of your results, for an overview of performance.

When used with Acusera 24.7’s suite of advanced statistical tools and reports, our charts can help you reduce the time you spend investigating non-conformances.

When the dreaded accreditation assessment approaches, you can relax. While others are scrambling to find documentation, you can rest assured that all the QC data you need is easily accessible.

Assessors love to see Acusera 24.7 load when they enter a laboratory because they understand how much easier QC management is when using our software.

We provide complete onboarding assistance and full training on the software for new customers while delivering prompt and effective customer support for existing users. The Acusera 24.7 and QC operations teams are always eager to help new and existing Acusera 24.7 users with any issues they experience.

To learn more about the features of this ground-breaking software, visit our website here.

Alternatively, feel free to reach out to us at marketing@randox.com for more information or to arrange a demo!


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