Abstract Background Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a powerful tool in the clinical microbiology laboratory, enabling accurate identification of bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria grown in culture. First adopted in some European microbiology laboratories, its ease of…
Abstract Background Biological samples such as blood, plasma, serum, and urine contain contaminants that are not suitable for direct analysis and must be removed before chromatographic separation and detection by mass spectrometry. This chapter discusses the classic sample preparation techniques…
Abstract Background Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify and quantify analytes using the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of ions generated from a sample. It is useful for the analysis of a wide range of clinically relevant…
Abstract Background Clinical tests often involve the use of one or more steps to isolate, enrich, or separate a target compound from other chemicals in the sample. Chromatography is one of the most common methods for achieving this type of…
Abstract Background Developments in DNA testing, improvements in ease of performance through automation, and advantages of speed and miniaturization afforded by the technique of capillary electrophoresis (CE) have led to a renaissance and growth of electrophoresis as an analytical tool…
Abstract Background Chemical sensors utilizing electrochemical and optical detection methods have become routine analytical tools in clinical chemistry applications, especially for measurement of critical care analytes (blood gases, electrolytes, metabolites) directly in whole blood at point of care or near…
Abstract Background Measurement of radiant energy (light) is used throughout the clinical laboratory to measure analytes, including proteins, metals, enzymes, antigens, and antibodies. Content This chapter describes the range of optical techniques used in clinical laboratory analysis. The techniques and…
Abstract Background To appropriately interpret clinical laboratory test results and adequately validate assays, the basic principles and techniques of analytical chemistry need to be understood. These techniques should be used by laboratory professionals in a safe testing environment. Content Factors…
Abstract Laboratory tests substantially impact clinical care, but their overuse, misuse, or underuse can cause patient harm and dissatisfaction, suboptimal patient care, and increased costs. Traditionally, the first consideration of pathology and laboratory medicine has been centered on optimizing the…
Abstract Background The large number of test results generated by clinical laboratories has led to challenges in data management and analytics. Because of the potential diagnostic value of examining these results in aggregate, it is important to utilize emerging tools…