Leon Poller, Michelle Keown, Saied A Ibrahim, Felix J M van der Meer, Anton M H P van den Besselaar, Armando Tripodi, Jørgen Jespersen, Pieter Meijer, Cornelis Kluft
BACKGROUND: There is a need for dependable quality assessment (QA) of the widely used CoaguChek point-of-care testing prothrombin time monitor. By use of the prescribed set of 5 CoaguChek certified international normalized ratio (INR) QA plasmas, we compared the reliability of the immediate QA of individual monitors described in the European Community-recommended Technology Implementation Plan with conventional external QA analysis. METHODS: Experienced staff tested CoaguChek point-of-care monitors in routine use for controlling oral anticoagulant dosage at 9 Netherlands Thrombosis Service Centres...
October 2006: Clinical Chemistry