The introduction of the homogeneous enzyme immunoassay into the clinical laboratory has been followed by a flood of automated improvements for the method. These procedures enable greater numbers of samples to be assayed in a given time with markedly reduced operator interaction. However, in some laboratories, the turn around time may be slow because the sample numbers may take several days to reach a sufficient level for an automated run. This may be convenient for the laboratory but such delay may not be in the interests of effective and efficient patient care. On the other hand, with the manually operated Syva EMIT® system, assays of any type may be performed on arrival of the sample in the laboratory. In drug therapy, such a fast turn around results in prompt action in the case of the toxic or overdose patient, and alternative management in the uncontrolled or noncompliant patient, and is essential for patients on lignocaine therapy. However, the manual method is not ideally suitable for large assay numbers as it is slower and very demanding on operator concentration. When a laboratory is considering introducing an EMIT® system, the question of sample numbers, turn around time, management problems of patients etc., need addressing before deciding between manual and automated systems. The introduction of the homogeneous enzyme immunoassay into the clinical laboratory has been followed by a flood of automated improvements for the method. These procedures enable greater numbers of samples to be assayed in a given time with markedly reduced operator interaction. However, in some laboratories, the turn around time may be slow because the sample numbers may take several days to reach a sufficient level for an automated run. This may be convenient for the laboratory but such delay may not be in the interests of effective and efficient patient care. On the other hand, with the manually operated Syva EMIT® system, assays of any type may be performed on arrival of the sample in the laboratory. In drug therapy, such a fast turn around results in prompt action in the case of the toxic or overdose patient, and alternative management in the uncontrolled or noncompliant patient, and is essential for patients on lignocaine therapy. However, the manual method is not ideally suitable for large assay numbers as it is slower and very demanding on operator concentration. When a laboratory is considering introducing an EMIT® system, the question of sample numbers, turn around time, management problems of patients etc., need addressing before deciding between manual and automated systems.
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Jan 1, 1980
Kazuyo Nishihara + 4
Open Access
