Point‐of‐care haemoglobin testing in African hospitals: a neglected essential diagnostic test

Uyoga, Sophie, George, Elizabeth C., Bates, Imelda ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0862-8199, Olupot‐Olupot, Peter, Chimalizeni, Yami, Molyneux, Elizabeth M. and Maitland, Kathryn (2021) 'Point‐of‐care haemoglobin testing in African hospitals: a neglected essential diagnostic test'. British Journal of Haematology, Vol 193, Issue 5, pp. 893-901.

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Abstract

Summary: Owing to the rapid turnaround time in the assessment of haemoglobin level by point‐of‐care tests (POC Hb), these have grown in popularity and scope in large parts of the world. However, whilst POC testing for malaria and HIV remains has been integrated into patient management in Africa, the use of POC haemoglobin testing remains neglected by health services. The main users of transfusions (paediatric, maternity and trauma services) present largely as emergencies. Ward‐based POC Hb could result in more rapid and accurate diagnosis of anaemia, contributing to saving of lives and at the same time reduce unnecessary transfusions which deplete the limited supplies of donated blood in Africa. Severe anaemia requiring transfusion is a major cause of paediatric admission in Africa. At a dissemination meeting to discuss the results of a large phase III paediatric transfusion trial and steps to implementation of the findings participants strongly recommended that one of the most pressing actions required was to prioritise the use of POC haemoglobin testing. This would facilitate implementation of the new transfusion algorithm, developed at the meeting, which refines patient management including blood transfusions. We present the rationale for the strongly recommended prioritisation of POC Hb, using paediatric transfusion as an exemplar.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WH Hemic and Lymphatic Systems > WH 100 General works WH Hemic and Lymphatic Systems > Hematologic Diseases. Immunologic Factors. Blood Banks > WH 155 Anemia WH Hemic and Lymphatic Systems > Hematologic Diseases. Immunologic Factors. Blood Banks > WH 190 Hemoglobin and other hemeproteins. Porphyrins (Associated with hemoglobin) WS Pediatrics > Diseases of Children and Adolescents > By System > WS 300 Hemic and lymphatic system
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.17431
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User:	Stacy Murtagh
Date Deposited:	17 May 2021 10:47
Last Modified:	04 Jun 2021 10:33
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/17869

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