Mobile Diagnostic Laboratory (MDL)

INTRODUCTION TO THE PORTABLE LABORATORY

WHY THE MOBILE LABORATORY?

The ability to provide accurate and rapid test results to patients is extremely important in primary health delivery the world over. Test results in minutes, or at most an hour or two, enable the health worker to effectively prescribe treatment to a patient who cannot remain in that location for a long time, whether in an urban or remote setting. When a laboratory facility is not located near the health clinic, specimens must be transported both ways which often takes too much time to properly recommend specific treatment. Our Mobile Diagnostic Laboratory is the ideal tool for at-risk or underserved populations both urban and rural. It can perform tests especially needed in health services deficient settings providing diagnostic tests for HIV/STD, malaria, neglected tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases, polio and tuberculosis et al – which occur most often in the poorest and most vulnerable populations. Having three power sources (solar, battery and A/C) and it’s portability in a hard-shell case make it especially appropriate for remote or mobile diagnostic services.

THE CONTENT OF THE MOBILE DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY

The MDL contains these Primary Components*

  • LW Scientific – Revelation III Binocular Microscope
  • LW Scientific – ZipCombo Multi-function micro-centrifuge
  • LW Scientific – Lumin 60x Fluorescence Microscopy Lens & Illuminator
  • Epoc Blood Analysis System(this is an optional / additional component)
  • Vernier SpectroVis Plus Spectrophotometer
  • B-4000 – Blood Cell Counter
  • 4-Place Centrifuge Handcrank
  • Marienfield – Hemocytometer
  • Johnson & Johnson – One Touch Blood Glucose Monitor
  • Taylor Digital Timer
  • 22w Solar Panel
  • 12v Lithium Rechargeable Battery
  • ZW AC Adapter
  • Power Set Cords
  • MPPT – Quick Charging Controller
  • 100w DC to AC Power Inverter
  • Platt Hard Shell Suitcase
  • Operating Manual (See Cover Page & Table of Content)

*we may use otherequipment manufacturers to provide these primary components

The MDL also contains an array of consumable and/or ancillary supplies**such as

  • Syringe & Needle Safety Box
  • Becton, Dickenson – EDTA Blood Collection Tubes (100 units)
  • Becton, Dickenson – Serum Blood Collection Tubes (100 units)
  • Glass Pipettes (100 units)
  • Huawei – Automatic Pipettes (2 units)
  • Glucose Monitor Test Strips (100 units)
  • Auto Pipette Plastic Disposables, Large (100 units)
  • Auto Pipette Plastic Disposables, Small (150)
  • YD Diagnostic – Test Strips (100 units)
  • Sail Brand – Microscope Slides (150 units)
  • Plastic Containers and Slide Tray (multiple units)
  • McKesson – Microscope Cover Glass (2 boxes)
  • Wright – Stain Powder
  • Becton, Dickenson – Alcohol Swabs (100 units)
  • Roche – AccuChek Lancets (100 units)
  • Hemato-Clad – 75mm Hematocrit Tubes (100 plain units)
  • Hemato-Clad 75mm Hematocrit Tubes (100 heparimized units)
  • Critoseal Unit
  • Tweezers (one)
  • Ascensia – Lancing Device
  • Sterilized Gamma Irradiation Tubes
  • Dash – Latex Exam Gloves, x-small, lightly powdered (100 units)
  • SynthetiCare – PVC Exam Gloves, powder free (100 units)
  • Plastic Test Tube Rack
  • Nipro – Blood Collection 21g Needles (100 units)
  • McKesson – Regular Tip Markers
  • Plastic Container
  • Immersion Oil
  • Kimball,Chase – Disposable Cotton Plugged Wintrobe Tubes
  • Kimball,Chase – Wintrobe Tube Holder
  • Plastic Bags
  • Assorted Equipment Pamphlets & 1 Urinalysis Poster

**Again we may substitute supply type or manufacturer source depending on availability.

THE MOBILE DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY CAPABILITIES

Tests that can be performed using the MOBILE DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY

Chemistries

AST (SGOT) Aspartate aminotransferase – AST is usually used to detect liver damage. It is often ordered in conjunction with ALT, or as part of a liver panel to screen for and/or help diagnose liver disorders.

ALT (SGPT): Alanine aminotransferase – ALT is typically used to detect liver injury. It is often ordered in conjunction with AST or as part of a liver panel to screen for and/or help diagnose liver disease.

ALP – Alkaline Phosphate: Used in the primary diagnosis of liver problems or bone disorders.

GGT: Gamma GlutamileTranspeptidase. The GGT test is sometimes used to help detect liver disease and bile duct obstructions.

Albumin: A protein. Albumin carries substances such as hormones, drugs, and enzymes throughout your body. This test can help diagnose, evaluate, and watch kidney and liver conditions.

Total Protein: a measure of albumin and globulin proteins; frequently assessed as a part of an evaluation of a person’s overall health status. May be elevated in multiple myeloma.

Total and Direct Bilirubin: To screen for or monitor liver disorders or hemolytic anemia; to monitor neonatal jaundice. Elevated values indicate damage to the liver.

Cholesterol: Cholesterol is usually ordered in combination with other tests including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides — often called a lipid profile. It may be an indication of heart disease.

Calcium: A blood calcium test is ordered to screen for, diagnose, and monitor a range of conditions relating to the bones, heart, nerves, kidneys, and teeth. The test may also be ordered if a person has symptoms of a parathyroid disorder, malabsorption, or an overactive thyroid.

Phosphorus: Phosphorus tests are most often ordered along with other tests, such as those for calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and/or vitamin D, to help diagnose and/or monitor treatment of various conditions that cause calcium and phosphorus imbalances.

Creatinine: The creatinine blood test is used to assess kidney function. It is frequently ordered along with a BUN (blood urea nitrogen) test. It may be elevated in severe muscle damage but primarily used as a kidney function test.

BUN: Blood Urea Nitrogen. Is primarily used, along with the creatinine test, to evaluate kidney function in a wide range of circumstances, to help diagnose kidney disease, and to monitor people with acute or chronic kidney dysfunction or failure.

Glucose: To determine if your blood glucose level is within a healthy range; to screen for and diagnose diabetes and prediabetes and to monitor for high blood glucose (hyperglycemia) or low blood glucose (hypoglycemia); to check for glucose in your urine.

Uric Acid: The uric acid blood test is used to detect high levels of this compound in the blood in order to help diagnose gout. The test is also used to monitor uric acid levels in people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer.

Iron: Serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and/or transferrin tests are usually ordered together and, subsequantly, the transferrin saturation can be determined and used to assess how much iron is being carried in the blood. Used to diagnose Iron deficiency anemia and any other test reagent kit which utilizes the visible portion of the measuring range. Additional tests will be based on local reagent chosen and availability from reagent suppliers.

Fluorescent Microscopy

Tuberculosis:A presumptive diagnosis of TB can be made by examining a smear of the patient’s specimen under the microscope after it has been treated with a special stain to detect acid fast bacteria (AFB). Positive AFB smears are likely to indicate a TB infection since M. tuberculosis is the most common acid-fast bacillus in the lungs, but the smears cannot distinguish between the different species of “acid-fast” bacilli. A culture is required for a definitive diagnosis.

Malaria:Diagnosis of malaria involves performing blood smears. For a blood smear, a drop of blood is applied to and spread onto a glass slide. It is then treated with a special stain and examined under a microscope for the morphology of infected blood cells and the parasite. They require examination by a trained and experienced laboratory technician.

Hematology

Blood Smear: A blood smear is often used as a follow-up test to abnormal results on a complete blood count (CBC) to evaluate the different types of blood cells; to help diagnose and/or monitor numerous conditions that affect blood cell populations.

RBC: Red Blood Cells, Total count to diagnose to help diagnose and/or monitor a number of diseases that affect the production or lifespan of red blood cells including anemia or polycythemia.

Platelets and Platelet Morphology: Platelets are tiny fragments of cells that are essential for normal blood clotting. A platelet count may be used to screen for or diagnose various diseases and conditions that can cause problems with clot formation. It may be used as part of the workup of a bleeding disorder, bone marrow disease, or excessive clotting disorder.

Hematrocrit:To determine the proportion of your blood that is made up of red blood cells (RBCs) in order to screen for, help diagnose, or monitor conditions that affect RBCs; as part of a routine health examination or if your healthcare provider suspects that you have anemia or polycythemia A packed cell volume usually expressed in percentage, i.e. 40% indicating red cells occupy 40% of the whole blood volume.

WBC: White Blood Cells, Total count & differentials for diagnosing infections, allergies and leukemia or other conditions that affects the production or survival of WBCs; to monitor treatment of a blood disorder or to monitor therapy that is known to affect WBCs

Hemoglobin:The hemoglobin test is often used to check for anemia, usually along with a hematocrit or as part of a complete blood count (CBC). The test may be used to screen for, diagnose, or monitor a number of conditions and diseases that affect red blood cells (RBCs) and/or the amount of hemoglobin in blood. Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein found in all red blood cells

Reticulocytes: Using a separate stain, Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells (RBCs) that form and mature in the bone marrow before being released into the blood. A reticulocyte test determines the number and/or percentage of reticulocytes in the blood to help evaluate anemia or bone marrow function

ESR: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate) is a test to detect inflammation associated with infections, cancers, and autoimmune diseases.

Urinalysis:

The urinalysis is used as a screening and/or diagnostic tool because it can help detect substances or cellular material in the urine associated with different metabolic and kidney disorders. It is ordered widely and routinely to detect any abnormalities that require follow up. Often, substances such as protein or glucose will begin to appear in the urine before people are aware that they may have a problem. It is used to detect urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other disorders of the urinary tract.

• Glucose:
• Ketones:
• Specific Gravity: Measure the ability of the kidney to concentrate the urine.
• Protein:
• Nitrites: Typically found where there is an infection in the urinary track. Calls for a culture or microscopic exam.

• pH: Shows the relative acidity/alkalinity of the specimen.
• Urobilinogen: A by-product of bilirubin production. A liver function test indirectly.
• Leukocytes:
• Blood:
• Urobilinogen:
• Bilirubin:

Microscopic Urinalysis Exam

• Urine Cells: May help identify disease or condition of the urinary tract. E.g. red cells, white cells, bacteria, yeast, epithelial cells (Squamous and Renal), parasites (e.g. Trichomonas vaginalis)

• Casts (Coarse granular, RBC, Hyaline).
• Crystals (Uric acid, Calcium Oxalate, Cholesterol)

Stool Suspensions

Parasites, Blood, WBCs and RBCs, Bacteria, Yeast and other foreign bodies.

Spinal or other body fluids:

RBCs and WBCs. Bacteria, Crystals, glucose, Total Proteins and other chemistries.

NOTE:Other tests may be performed using the MDL depending upon the specific needs or requirements as determined by the attending physician.

Reference: https://labtestsonline.org/produced by AACC, a global scientific and medical professional organization dedicated to clinical laboratory science and its application to healthcare

On the (optional) epoc®System blood gas, electrolytes and metabolites in about 30 seconds PLUS Sodium

• Potassium
• Chloride
• CO 2
• Protime

• PTT
• Thyroids
• Lipids
• Creatinine

OPERATING MANUALS

All Primary Components come with a full Original Equipment Manufacturer product warranty according to the terms of each OEM. Global Med Partners further represents that the quality and results of these tests administered properly by a licensed Lab Technician will be clinically useful and reproducible and compared to tests conducted in a full-scale tertiary laboratory will be equally reliable and equally useful to the healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.