Results of a survey among GP practices on how they manage patient safety aspects related to point-of-care testing in every day practice

Background Point-of-care (POC) tests are devices or test strips that can be used near or at the site where care is delivered to patients, enabling a relatively fast diagnosis. Although many general practitioners (GPs) in the Netherlands are using POC tests in their practice, little is known on how they manage the corresponding patient safety aspects. Methods To obtain information on this aspect, an invitation to participate in a web-based questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 750 GP practices. Of this sample 111 GP practices returned a complete questionnaire. Data was analysed by using descriptive statistics. Results Results show that there is not always attention for quality control measures such as checking storage conditions, executing calibration, and maintenance. In addition, universal hygienic measures, such as washing hands before taking a blood sample, are not always followed. Refresher courses on the use of POC tests are hardly organized. Only a few of the GPs contact the manufacturer of the device when a device failure occurs. Well-controlled aspects include patient identification and actions taken when ambiguous test results are obtained. Conclusions We observed a number of risks for errors with POC tests in GP practices that may be reduced by proper training of personnel, introduction of standard operating procedures and measures for quality control and improved hygiene. To encourage proper use of POCT in general practices, a national POCT guideline, dedicated to primary care and in line with ISO standards, should be introduce

Stepwise noncovalent synthesis leading to dendrimer-based assemblies in water

We provide detailed insight into complex supramolecular assembly processes by fully characterizing a multicomponent model system using dynamic light scattering, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and various NMR techniques. First, a preassembly of a host molecule (the fifth-generation urea-adamantyl poly(propylene imine) dendrimer) and 32 guest molecules (a water- and chloroform-soluble ureidoacetic acid guest) was made in chloroform. The association constant in chloroform is concealed by guest self-association and is therefore higher than 103 M-1. Via the neat state the single-host complex was transferred to water, where larger dendrimer-based assemblies were formed. The core of these assemblies, consisting of multiple host molecules (on average three), is kinetically trapped upon dissolution in water, and its size is constant irrespective of the concentration. The guest molecules forming the corona of the assemblies, however, stay dynamic since they are still in rapid exchange on the NMR time scale, as they were in chloroform. A stepwise noncovalent synthesis provides a means to obtain metastable dynamic supramolecular assemblies in water, structures that cannot be formed in one step.status: publishe

Stepwise noncovalent synthesis leading to dendrimer-based assemblies in water

We provide detailed insight into complex supramolecular assembly processes by fully characterizing a multicomponent model system using dynamic light scattering, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and various NMR techniques. First, a preassembly of a host molecule (the fifth-generation urea-adamantyl poly(propylene imine) dendrimer) and 32 guest molecules (a water- and chloroform-soluble ureidoacetic acid guest) was made in chloroform. The association constant in chloroform is concealed by guest self-association and is therefore higher than 103 M-1. Via the neat state the single-host complex was transferred to water, where larger dendrimer-based assemblies were formed. The core of these assemblies, consisting of multiple host molecules (on average three), is kinetically trapped upon dissolution in water, and its size is constant irrespective of the concentration. The guest molecules forming the corona of the assemblies, however, stay dynamic since they are still in rapid exchange on the NMR time scale, as they were in chloroform. A stepwise noncovalent synthesis provides a means to obtain metastable dynamic supramolecular assemblies in water, structures that cannot be formed in one step