Uncontrolled diabetes can result in complicated disease states such as kidney disease, vision loss, and nerve damage. The complications occurring from diabetes could be delayed by reducing blood glucose to a normal level. POCT technology directed toward diabetes management includes machines that measure A1C, the common blood test used to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and urine analyses that screen for microalbuminuria and nephropathy.
Point-of-care testing (POCT) systems on diabetes management are widely used not only by diabetic patients to self-manage their disease but also by physicians to monitor critically ill patients.
Blood glucose levels can change drastically within 15 minutes depending upon stress levels, insulin doses, or food intake. Therefore, turnaround times are of critical importance for acting upon blood glucose levels that demand clinical intervention. Comprehensive care of patients with diabetes requires frequent testing of hemoglobin A1C. Glycated hemoglobin A1C can now be measured with fast and easy automated point-of-care testing instruments to monitor long-term serum glucose regulation.
The key objective of this testing is to generate a result quickly so that appropriate treatment can be implemented, leading to an improved clinical or economic outcome. Delivering an effective point of care testing service requires the use of quality point of care Diabetes Systems developed by established manufacturers. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, for instance, offers point-of-care products and services that enable healthcare providers to render better patient management and help ensure optimized clinical outcomes.
Siemens' DCA Vantage� Analyzer helps you monitor glycemic control and detect early kidney disease in environments ranging from the physician's office to remote, point-of-care coordinated sites in hospitals and multisite practices. This analyzer is one of just two HbA1c analyzers that meet NGSP performance criteria and is used by three out of four physicians who perform HbA1c testing in their office.