Point-of-care testing of blood glucose in the neonatal unit using the AVL Omni 9 analyser.
BACKGROUND
Blood glucose measurements in newborns at risk of hypoglycaemia are an essential part of their medical management. Blood glucose measurements obtained by point-of-care testing using an AVL Omni 9 blood gas and metabolite analyser were compared with those obtained in the central laboratory using a Dade Dimension RXL analyser.


METHODS
Blood glucose was measured at the point of care by nursing staff using an AVL Omni 9 blood gas and metabolite analyser and compared to results obtained in the central laboratory using a DADE Dimension RXL analyser. In total, 123 samples were taken from 114 babies admitted to the neonatal unit.


RESULTS
The limits of agreement between the AVL Omni 9 and the central laboratory were 0.0 +/- 0.6 mmol/L for glucose values between 0.5 and 13 mmol/L. Regression analysis showed: AVL Omni 9 glucose = 0.977 x plasma glucose+0.14. There was also a good correlation (r = 0.92) between the AVL Omni 9 and the DADE Dimension RXL analyser for glucose values < 3 mmol/L. The limits of agreement for the AVL Omni 9 when compared with the DADE Dimension RXL analyser were -0.1 +/- 0.5 mmol/L.


CONCLUSIONS
Point-of-care testing of blood glucose using the AVL Omni 9 blood gas and metabolite analyser is a reliable means of measuring blood glucose and has the advantage of providing a fast result using small volumes of blood.
Newman
Julie D
JD
Biochemistry Unit, Southern Cross Pathology, Australia. j.newman@southernhealth.org.au
Pecache
Nerissa S
NS
Barfield
Charles P
CP
Balazs
Nicholas D H
ND
D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D002138:Calibration; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D009725:Nurseries, Hospital; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011786:Quality Control; D012044:Regression Analysis
D001786:Blood Glucose