Addressing Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace
Addressing Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace
05 September 2019
Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing
Addressing Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace
Within any business, companies seek to outline clear methods in which employees should act and behave whilst carrying out their roles. These rules are outlined in company workplace policies. Every business – no matter which industry it operates in – should have well-documented and comprehensive workplace policies and procedures in place.
According to the Employment Law Handbook, a workplace policy is a set of rules and principles that aims to provide guidance to managers and workers in how to behave in the workplace. They can be in place for numerous different issues – bullying, harassment, internet use, health and safety are just a few that can be implemented.
Health and Safety
As mentioned above, health and safety is an important aspect of any workplace policy. The health and well-being of the working community is of utmost importance for sustainable development. Specifically, a drug and alcohol policy is a key part of the overall health and safety policy within a company. Alcohol and drugs through their effects on health, safety, work performance and absenteeism can jeopardise productivity, deny businesses the leading edge and curtail competitiveness. Effectively implemented drug and alcohol policies will help employers in the legal duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees.
The need for a Drug and Alcohol Policy
Drugs and alcohol misuse can have dangerous consequences within the workplace. All organisations can benefit from an agreed policy that applies to all staff. There are wide range of statistics available to highlight the worrying impact that drugs and alcohol can have on individuals. In 2016, it was estimated that £7 billion was lost in productivity through unemployment and sickness. Furthermore, 10.8 million adults in England are drinking at levels that pose some risk to their health. A survey carried out by UK based Health and Safety Consultants Protecting.co.uk showed that; from 2,600 workers in office, factory, retail and the public sector, 85% admit to being drunk at work in the last year; not including the Christmas party. 28% of those surveyed admitted using drugs at work, including NPS (formerly legal highs) cannabis and other illegal substances.
From a legal point of view, employers have a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of employees. Also, under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, to assess the risks to the health and safety of employees. If an employer knowingly allows an employee under the influence of drug misuse to continue working and his/her behaviour places the employee or others at risk, they may face prosecution.
Advantages of having policies in place
Having well-developed policies and procedures can provide a range of benefits to an organisation. An effectively implemented drug and alcohol policy will ensure a clear understanding within the workplace of the rules relating to drugs and alcohol. It will also provide a greater awareness in workplaces of the effects of drugs and alcohol an consequently early recognition. Furthermore, it ensures that the necessary structures and procedures are in place should a problem arise. An up to date policy will also provide assurance that key staff have been trained to understand the issues involved and have the necessary skills to deal with any problems should they arise.
How can Randox Testing Services help?
At Randox Testing Services we offer a comprehensive consultancy service to help employers create an effective substance misuse policy. By providing this service we offer practical advice, guidance and support in composing a substance misuse policy.
Our confidential policy review service provides assistance to employers with an existing substance misuse policy. With this service, we help to modify existing documents to ensure it is legally viable and can withstand challenge in court.
For more information on our comprehensive consultancy service, visit our website: www.randoxtestingservices.com or contact us by emailing testingservices@randox.com.
To read more about workplace polices and their importance within an organisation, click here.
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit our website to read more.
Randox puts exports under the microscope at NI Chamber Forum
Putting exports under the microscope at NI Chamber Forum
The Senior Manager for Government Affairs and Strategic Outreach at Randox, Colonel Mark Campbell CBE will discuss the company’s international success at NI Chamber’s next Exporter Forum on 25 September.
Supported by Danske Bank, the initiative provides a platform for Northern Ireland’s most successful exporters to share their inspirational journeys in order to encourage others to grow export activity within their own business.
With offices and distribution in over 145 countries, Randox is one of the region’s most successful exporters and a world leader in the healthcare industry. At the event, Mark will take delegates through the company’s export story, outlining how the business has grown in international markets. Attendees will also be offered an exclusive tour of Randox’s new Science Park.
Encouraging companies with export aspirations to attend, Jonathan Elder, Corporate Banking Manager at Danske Bank, said:
“Danske Bank is proud to support the Export First Exporter forum at the brand new Randox Science Park. Randox has for many years been one of Northern Ireland’s most successful export businesses and so the chance to learn from the company’s experience in international markets will, I’m sure, be invaluable for those who attend the event. If we want Northern Ireland’s economy to grow, particularly post-Brexit, it will be essential that more of our small and medium sized businesses follow the example of market leaders like Randox and take the opportunities on offer to them to sell outside of Northern Ireland.”
Mark Campbell, Senior Manager at Randox Laboratories, added;
“From the very outset Randox has been focussed on export markets – aiming to improve diagnostics, and healthcare, on a global basis. After some 37 years, Randox now export to 145 countries and around 95% of our product is exported.
“Achieving success in export markets can be challenging but the rewards are potentially significant – both in the potential for growth and in improving overall economic wellbeing.
“With this focus on exports in mind, we are very much looking forward to the NI Chamber Export First Exporter Forum. This Forum will provide a valuable opportunity to explore with other Northern Ireland companies export strategies, and how to optimise the potential for company and wider economic growth from overseas markets.”
To register for this event, which takes place on 25 September 2019, between 9.30-11.30am at Randox Laboratories, Antrim visit www.northernirelandchamber.com/events
Want to know more about Randox?
Contact us or visit our homepage to view more.
Our Randox Products and Services
REAGENTS
RX SERIES
ACUSERA
BIOCHIP
Randox Health takes diagnostic service on the road
03 September 2019
Randox Health Mobile Clinic
Do you know about our Mobile Health Service?
Clients of Randox Health are benefiting from “full-body MoTs” by providing blood samples in state-of-the-art Mobile Service clinics based on Mercedes-Benz Sprinters. The company’s phlebotomists use their strikingly styled vehicles to visit workplaces, gyms, private homes, and other locations, and provide an ultra-convenient service.
Randox Health is committed to identifying and preventing illness by detecting small changes in blood. Its patented diagnostic testing technology is capable of identifying up to 350 individual ‘biomarkers’ in a single sample. Randox Health operates clinics in Belfast, Liverpool and London, and introduced its first mobile unit in 2017. Such has been the demand from health-conscious clients throughout Ireland, that it has now added a second.
Based in Liverpool, the newer vehicle is from the latest-generation Sprinter range launched last year, which combines unprecedented levels of cab quality and comfort, with 4G wi-fi connectivity, and an industry-leading armoury of active and passive safety features. Like its predecessor, the 3.5-tonne 314 CDI L2 chassis cab was supplied by Intercounty Truck & Van, one of two members of the Mercedes-Benz Vans retail network whose parent company is Ballyvesey Holdings, of Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland.
Both vehicles’ purpose-designed bodies are the work of specialist coachbuilder Annard, of Loughall, County Armagh. Features include ‘pop out’ sections that address Randox Health’s requirement for additional floor space. With their aerodynamic enhancements, colour-coded door mirrors and bumpers, and alloy wheels, the Sprinters are real head-turners, and have attracted enthusiastic feedback from clients.
Explaining the rationale behind Randox Health’s decision to launch its mobile clinic service, Operations Manager Lauren Donaghy said:
“Increasing demand from corporate clients and private individuals for our pioneering health checks meant we needed to come up with a solution which ensured they were accessible to all.
“Our mobile service was the answer, and by providing men and women, young and old, with what effectively amount to full-body MoTs, we’re now transforming the delivery of healthcare in the UK and Ireland.”
Lauren continued: “We provide a world-leading service, so naturally we were keen to partner with a world-leading automotive brand able to provide vehicles that offer the highest standards of reliability, comfort and safety.
“The name Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with quality, ingenuity and performance, so we knew it would be the perfect fit for our equally innovative and ambitious company. Ballyvesey Holdings, meanwhile, has worked with Mercedes-Benz for years, and came highly recommended. “With their bespoke design, the vehicles provide a perfect combination of phlebotomy functionality and patient comfort, while maintaining the look and feel of a high-end clinic room,” added Lauren Donaghy.
“People are able to book an appointment at a place of their choosing, and being able to undergo their health check in a luxurious Mercedes-Benz means the experience is first-class from start to finish.”
A world-leading health service
Mercedes-Benz Vans UK has been doing its bit to highlight issues of health and wellbeing affecting the UK’s community of van drivers, operators and owners, through its Business Barometer programme. In its latest bulletin, the manufacturer focused on poor quality diets and the apparent reluctance of many to visit a doctor, while previous instalments have covered everything from hydration in hot weather, to the affects of air pollution, and the high stress levels induced by a shortage of parking provision.
The Sprinter 314 CDI is powered by a fuel-efficient 2.1-litre common rail turbodiesel engine – although this model is now also available with front-wheel drive, as with its stablemate Randox Health’s new van transmits its 143 hp output via the rear wheels. Like all Mercedes-Benz vans, Randox Health’s Mobile Service vehicles are backed by three-year, unlimited mileage warranties and came with free MobiloVan cover, which includes round-the-clock emergency roadside assistance.
Randox Health: What We Do
Randox Health packages go beyond a health check. We have the world’s most comprehensive full-body health programmes available on the market today, thanks to Randox Biochips which enable hundreds of individual tests to be carried out from one sample and giving you truly unrivalled knowledge about your health and wellbeing both now and in the future. Your health matters to us and, above all, we are committed to improving healthcare worldwide by identifying and preventing illness at the earliest possible stage.
How we can help you
Identifying the very first signs and risks of disease can help prevent health problems that may be on the horizon. Randox Health aim to do this before the appearance of unpleasant symptoms or illness. Prevention is always better than cure. Long-term mild dehydration may have caused damage to your health and our packages tests for up to 350 different biomarkers. Read about our packages here, or contact a member of our team for more information!
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit our Randox Health page to view more.
Our Randox Health programmes
Everyman
Everywoman
Signature
Specialised testing
Randox Food Diagnostics are attending AOAC Denver 2019
30 August 2019
Randox Food Diagnostics are attending AOAC Denver 2019
Randox Food Diagnostics are exhibiting at AOAC in Denver. Various contaminants are administered to animals during the farming process to treat infection and maintain herd health. Regulations are often adhered to, as quality control procedures are put in place to ensure the safe supply of agricultural produce and this is where Biochip technology can streamline the quality control process. By offering a system that can analyse up to 48 sample simultaneously, our technology delivers higher throughput which in turn saves time and money on laboratory costs and labour.
Randox Food and Biochip Array Technology
Biochip Array technology (BAT) is designed with the aim of revolutionising the screening practices of your laboratory. Designed to work across a wide variety of matrices, BAT uses a micro-spotting technique to create an assay that can detect and provide quantitative results for up to 44 residues from a single sample.
The market leading 9mm x 9mm ceramic chip brings the capacity to detect the range of antibiotics, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, growth promoting and mycotoxin residues simultaneously in a range of food and feed samples.
AOAC’s annual meeting is taking place this September in Denver. The meeting organises scientific sessions, roundtable discussions, workshops and poster presentations discussing a variety of analytical methods and requirements. Attended by scientists from across the world the conference discusses science at a different level.
At AOAC Denver you will get the opportunity to speak to our experts on the Biochip Array Technology. By visiting booth #416 you will get an introduction to BAT and find out how the technology can perfectly fit any of your screening needs.
To learn more about Biochip Array Technology contact info@randoxfooddiagnostics.com or stop by Booth #416 at AOAC Denver 2019 and chat the Randox Food team!
Find out more about AOAC.
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit our Randox Food Diagnostics website.
Related Products
Meat & Seafood
Milk
Honey
Wine
DIKI: Drug Induced Kidney Injury Array from Randox Biosciences
Randox Biosciences introduces the innovative Randox Drug Induced Kidney Injury Array (DIKI). The new panels allow superior monitoring of nephrotoxicity for enhanced safety in drug development. It has been developed to identify four early stage markers of DIKI by screening for the biomarkers KIM-I, NGAL, Cystatin C, and Clusterin which have been identified as more sensitive than transitional testing methods to enhance accurate diagnosis of DIKI.
Our Biochip Array Technology enables multiplex immunoassay testing. The DIKI panel of 4 markers is combined on a single biochip, enabling simultaneous results from each patient sample, delivering:
- Excellent inter-assay precision and required sensitivity
- Superior specificity
- Lower sample volume
- Fast turnaround time
- Safer drug development
With the number of hospitalised patients who develop a drug-induced renal problem due to the numbers of potent drugs have been added to the therapeutic arsenal in recent year1 – the DIKI can have a detrimental effect on a person’s health and wellbeing. Blakely stated that “drug-induced nephrotoxic contributes to 8 to 60% of all cases of AKI seen on the intensive care unit (ICU)”.2 Randox offers a 4-plex Drug Induced Kidney Injury test which detects early stage toxicity across the nephron, assisted through composite measurement. Earlier and more reliable detection of drug-induced kidney injury would improve clinical care and help to streamline drug-development. (Dieterle et al., 2010)3.
The poor sensitivity of serum creatinine for detecting and monitoring DIKI is well documented in academic journals. As a result, for early phase trials European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are encouraging the use of more novel urinary biomarkers alongside conventional safety monitoring. The new panel will be able to identify the levels of toxicity present in the kidneys which is classified as one of the most common side effects of drug development trials.
The new Randox Drug Induced Kidney Injury (DIKI) panel can help you conduct clinical trials safer and faster. For more information contact info@randoxbiosciences.com.
Randox Careers: We Don’t Make Jobs. We Create Careers.
Ever wondered what a career at Randox is like? From Marketing to Engineering and Science to Manufacturing, there are world-class roles available in the UK, Ireland and further afield.
Visit https://careers.randox.com/ to find out more.
Randox Charity Partners 2019/20 Announced
Global healthcare company Randox Laboratories has today announced Liverpool-based charity the Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation, located near its Liverpool Randox Health clinic, and Townland Boxing Club, near its Crumlin headquarters in Northern Ireland, as its official charity partners for 2019/2020.
Randox staff in the UK and Ireland will be fundraising for these causes through a range of events and initiatives throughout the year, including individual staff fundraising activities and the company’s popular Christmas Raffle for staff in December.
Randox Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Peter FitzGerald, commented;
“We are delighted to partner with the Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation in Liverpool and Townland Boxing Club in Glenavy. Both are very worthy causes close to the hearts of those living near two of our health check clinics – Randox Health Liverpool in Exchange Station and Randox Health Crumlin in Northern Ireland.
“Our partnerships with each of these charities focus on the health and wellbeing, in particular, of young people. You are never too young to start caring about your health and thinking of your future wellbeing.
“Indeed, our research and development teams have found that signs of ill-health often appear in the body at an early age but symptoms may not appear until later in life. It is paramount that the health of young people is prioritised at the earliest stage and when preventable illnesses and conditions can be stopped in their tracks or more effectively managed.”
Frank Cogley, father of Tim and founder of the Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation, commented;
“The Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation is dedicated to providing free cardiac screenings and education for young adults in Merseyside and the Wirral. The essence of the charity, and its whole approach of reaching out to help others, reflects Tim’s character and, in that sense, keeps alive his driving force. I can’t imagine a legacy more in tune with the generous, kind and supportive person that was Tim.”
Tim Cogley, an apparently fit and healthy 34-year-old from Heswall, England, suffered a fatal heart attack in April 2017. Despite showing no symptoms, Tim had a 75% cholesterol blockage of the left descending coronary artery. The Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation was set up by family and friends in Tim’s memory to offer free heart screening to those aged 18 to 40 within the Merseyside area, an age range where little heart screening currently is offered.
Frank continued;
“We have enjoyed a close working relationship with Randox Health Liverpool since our inception in 2017 and are thrilled to have been chosen as one of the company’s staff charity partners.
“The money raised by Randox staff will help provide cardiac screenings and facilitate a range of educational programmes which, by sharing Tim’s story, will illustrate the need to be aware of key health indicators from a young age.
“Making young people aware of their vital signs, such as blood pressure, will go a long way in preventing future young deaths from preventable heart conditions, and we look forward to delivering this message with the help of staff from Randox Health.”
In addition to cardiac screening programmes, the Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation is committed to delivering positive, action-focused and life-changing educational sessions which focus on delivering information lifestyle changes which can have positive benefits for young people.
Randox Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Peter FitzGerald, said;
“The Tim Cogley Cardiac Screening Foundation has already made a difference to young people in the Liverpool area both with the detection of early cardiac issues through its free screening programme and in its education endeavours. The story of Tim Cogley is a tragic one of a life ended too soon. The courage and commitment of his family to create a positive legacy in his name is to be admired and we look forward to joining with them through this Randox staff charity partnership.”
Randox’s second charity partner, Townland Boxing Club in Glenavy, was founded in 2008 by a group of dedicated people interested in the sport of boxing and improving youth facilities in the area.
The amateur boxing club, which is a completely voluntary organisation, was opened with a purpose to give young people in the area a place to meet, form friendships and learn the discipline, respect and skill required to become an amateur boxer.
Thomas Quinn, head coach at Townland Boxing Club, said;
“Randox is a key employer in the area with tremendous influence and we look forward to partnering with them as we continue to bring boxing facilities and training to young people in the wider Glenavy area. From the admin staff to coaches, everyone here works on a voluntary basis and we rely on the generosity of others, such as Randox, to keep our services continuing for generations to come.”
Randox Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Peter FitzGerald, said;
“Randox’s global headquarters has been based in Crumlin since the company was founded in 1982. We are proud to hold longstanding relationships with the local community here and our new staff charity partnership with Townland Boxing Club in Glenavy signals our continued commitment to the wellbeing of Crumlin and the surrounding area.”
Please contact Randox PR using the contact details below to arrange an interview, or for more information.
Phone: 028 9442 2413.
Or email: randoxpr@randox.com
Flexible Drug and Alcohol Testing Methods
06 August 2019
Flexible Drug and Alcohol Testing Methods
At Randox Testing Services our complete testing solutions include flexible drug and alcohol testing methods that can be tailored to meet our customer needs. In all aspects of testing we ensure the accuracy and reliability of results and utilise strict chain of custody procedures across all our testing methods.
To guarantee the most effective form of testing our dedicated Account Managers make informed recommendations to our customers on what type of testing best suits their business needs. The different methods are outlined below along with the sample types that can be tested:
Drug and Alcohol Testing Methods
-
Abstinence Monitoring
Conducted as a follow up on a confirmed positive drug or alcohol test. If an employer provides support to an employee who has had a confirmed positive drug or alcohol test, this type of testing may be used to help with rehabilitation.
-
Post-Incident
Used to determine if drugs or alcohol may have contributed to an accident/incident in the workplace. This type of testing can be an effective tool in accident investigations and it is our recommendation that should an incident occur, all employees involved should be tested.
-
Pre-Employment
This is the most popular type of workplace testing especially in industries which have safety critical roles. This type of testing is an essential part of a company’s recruitment process and clearly states the company’s position on drug and alcohol misuse for any potential employee.
-
Random
A popular type of testing within workplaces as it acts as a deterrent to drug and alcohol abuse. A company’s drug and alcohol testing policy should clearly outline that they carry out random workplace testing ensuring employees do not know when the event is planned.
-
With-Cause
Performed when a company is suspicious that an employee may be currently under the influence of alcohol or misusing drugs. This suspicion is normally raised if an employee is acting out of character and there has been observed different behaviours.
Sample Types
-
Urine (Alcohol and Drugs)
The most common sample type for drug testing and offers a longer detection window than oral fluid for drugs.
-
Oral Fluid (Drugs only)
Oral fluid testing analyses a saliva sample for parent drugs and their metabolites, providing analysis of short-term drug abuse.
-
Hair (Alcohol and Drugs)
A hair drugs test offers a longer window of detection than alternative testing and can provide a detailed view or overall picture of drug use. Detection window is based on hair length with 1cm of head equating to approximately 1 month of detection.
-
Breath (Alcohol only)
Breath can be tested for alcohol using hand-held devices which provide immediate results. These devices can gauge blood alcohol content (BAC) by measuring deep lung air.
About Randox Testing Services
Randox Testing Services is a market leader in the drug and alcohol testing industry. Our expertise is relied upon by a range of leading safety-critical companies across the world.
We pride ourselves on helping our customers improve the health and safety of their working environment through helping them implement a comprehensive substance misuse policy. Our expertise within this industry allows us to craft customised packages to meet the testing needs of any workplace. Our drug and alcohol testing methods are flexible to adapt to any changes and our testing processes are accurate, to guarantee reliable results.
Contact us today be at testingservices@randox.com or call 028 9445 1011 to speak to one of our experts.
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit our website to read more.
Randox QC unveils brand new multi-analyte commutable Acusera Infectious Disease Controls
Randox Quality Control is set to introduce its brand new Acusera Infectious Disease (Serology) Controls at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry 2019, designed to deliver a cost-effective, high quality solution for the analysis of infectious diseases whilst producing trustworthy results.
The Infectious Disease Serology Internal Quality Controls will include quality control material for Lyme Disease, ToRCH, Epstein-Barr virus, HIV, Hepatitis A virus, Human T-lymphotropic virus, Cytomegalovirus, and Varicella zoster virus (Chickenpox or Shingles).
Manufactured from human plasma, each control is designed to react to the test system in the same manner as the patient sample, helping to meet ISO 15189:2012 requirements while also reducing inconvenient shifts in QC results when reagent batches are changed.
Lynsey Adams, Randox Quality Control Manager, commented;
“These controls are the first of their kind on the market to be used on a wide range of immunoassay analysers. Unlike the current practice of analyser-specific tests, these controls can be used across a wide range of laboratory technologies and, with a working stability of 60 days at 2°c to 8°c, waste and costs are kept to a minimum.”
Acusera Infectious Disease (Serology) Controls are also multi-analyte and therefore, testing can be consolidated to just a small number of vials, saving laboratories valuable space and time. A single control can be used to assess performance across a range of analytes.
Key benefits of the Acusera Infectious Disease Controls;
- All samples are provided in a user-friendly, liquid, ready-to-use format
- Manufactured from human plasma, each control reacts to the test system in the same manner as a patient sample
- Designed to deliver an independent, unbiased assessment of performance with any immunoassay instrument
- Working stability of 60 days ensures waste and costs are kept to a minimum
- Multi-marker controls help reduce the number of individual controls required
- Designed to challenge clinically-relevant levels, samples will ensure accurate and reliable instrument performance
Ideal for microbiology and virology laboratories, blood banks, public health laboratories or clinical laboratories performing serology testing, Randox QC’s Acusera Infectious Disease (Serology) Controls are set to revolutionise serology testing and provide reliable, accurate results time and time again.
For further information please email acusera@randox.com, visit www.randoxqc.com or tel: +44 (0) 28 9442 2413 / fax: +44 (0) 28 9445 2912
Multiplex biochip for accurate differentiation of stroke types launched at AACC
A ground-breaking new test which improves the accuracy of stroke diagnosis has been developed by Randox scientists.
The Randox Stroke Biochip is a rapid and highly sensitive blood test that will complement and enhance existing CT scanning technology to facilitate accurate classification of stroke patients and improve patient care pathways.
With a unique ability to differentiate between ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke, the Randox Stroke Biochip takes less than 30 minutes to complete – making sure patients get the right diagnosis as fast as possible.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, whose team developed the test, commented;
“There is great tragedy in the fact that the majority of stroke damage can be minimised if intervention is delivered on time, yet too often the window closes before a diagnosis is made. For doctors, nothing is more frustrating.
“Excellent work has been undertaken to assist the public in recognising the signs of a stroke so people can get to hospital as quickly as possible. Our stroke test is the vital next step – assisting clinicians in making a rapid diagnosis and differentiation between haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke, so their patients get the right treatment at the right time.”
Using Randox revolutionary patented Biochips, the Randox Stroke Biochip provides a unique solution for simultaneous detection of multiple stroke biomarkers from a single sample, facilitating fast and accurate classification of stroke patients in an emergency setting.
Benefits of the Randox Stroke Biochip
- Results in 30 minutes on the Evidence MultiSTAT
- Unique solution for stroke classification
- Differentiation of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke
- Guarantees rapid thrombolytic therapy ensuring better patient outcomes
John Lamont, R&D Director for Randox Laboratories, explained the benefits of the Stroke Biochip;
“While patients undergo a CT scan to confirm either the presence or lack of a haemorrhagic stroke, a blood test on the Randox Biochip can be run on our innovative point-of-care analyser, the Evidence MultiSTAT, to identify the same for an ischaemic stroke.
“For the almost 90% of stroke patients who are ruled out for haemorrhagic stroke1, the Randox Biochip will then accelerate decision making for clinicians with regards to thrombolytic therapy.
“Any treatment is most effective if started as soon as possible after the stroke occurs, and so every minute that passes without a diagnosis is likely to leave a permanent mark on a stroke patient’s future health and lifestyle. The vitally important diagnostic information from the Randox Stroke Biochip facilitates accurate stroke classification, directs the appropriate patient care pathway, and enables rapid thrombolytic therapy, ensuring a better patient outcome for ischaemic stroke sufferers, for whom time is of the essence.”
Whilst the Randox Stroke Biochip is currently being used as complementary testing in parallel with CT scanning, Mr Lamont is confident of a more prominent role for the test in the future patient pathway;
“The Biochip has the potential to really revolutionise the stroke diagnosis pathway as we currently know it. The accessibility of this type of blood testing could potentially extend its use beyond the A&E department, to ambulances and even the home, in the form of a hand-held testing device.”
For further information about our pioneering Stroke Biochip please visit us at stand 1101 at this year’s AACC or follow the links below.
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit our Stroke Biochip page to learn more.