title: Use of the HemoCue near patient testing device to measure the concentration of haemoglobin in suction fluid at elective caesarean section.
abstract: We have investigated the suitability of the HemoCue photometer to measure the concentration of haemoglobin in suction fluid obtained at elective caesarean section in 30 women. Laboratory analysis was used as a gold standard against which values generated by the HemoCue were compared. We used the method of Bland and Altman to analyse the data. The bias and the limits of agreement were -0.013 and -0.39 to 0.36 mg x dl(-1) respectively, indicating a good level of agreement. Mean (SD) total blood loss calculated using these data, combined with the weight of the swabs, was consistently greater than clinical estimation: 768 (496) ml versus 506 (249) ml respectively (p < 0.001). We have found that the HemoCue near patient testing device may be used to estimate blood loss accurately in the suction fluid obtained at elective Caesarean section.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Wrench
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Feast
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Alderson
mesh_terms: D000773:Anesthesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006452:Hemoglobinometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D010783:Photometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011247:Pregnancy; D013396:Suction