Publication

Abstract : In today’s setting, the proper execution of measurements and compliance of various Point of care investigations, with both internal and external quality control is a great challenge. The aim of this study is to compare the values of a highly critical parameter Creatinine (Cr) determined with a point of care device (POC) vs the central laboratory analyser (ZL) in a highly vulnerable setting of an emergency department in a tertiary care hospital and to assess the devices performance. It’s a prospective observational study done among 500 patients of all age group, who presented to emergency department and whose Creatinine was simultaneously determined using POC and ZL. On comparison between creatinine determined using POC and ZL, overall there is good correlation (r = 0.934, p<0.001) & a positive linear correlation [ICC=0.966, 95% confidence interval = (0.959, 0.971)]). Additionally, elevated creatinine values in males (Cr >1.2 mg/dl) and females (Cr >1.1) were analysed individually & in a group between POC-Cr and ZL-Cr, which showed a good agreement in diagnosis of kidney injury using POC. -Sub collective groups i.e. paediatric patients (age <18), geriatric patients (age > 85 years) & gender based analysis were also done and the results showed a highly significant correlation between POC-Cr and ZL-CR. Creatinine determined using POC devices has good correlation with central laboratory value with both internal and external quality control.