Advice
Search strategy and evidence selection
Search strategy
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Databases were searched including Ovid Embase (1974 to 2015 April 21), Ovid MEDLINE(R) (1946 to April Week 2 2015), and Ovid MEDLINE(R) In‑Process & Other Non‑Indexed Citations (April 21, 2015). The keywords "i stat" and "i‑STAT" were used for the searches.
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The internet was searched using the above keywords.
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ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP, and Current Controlled Trials were searched for ongoing trials.
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Information provided by the manufacturer was thoroughly checked for relevant studies. Information provided by the manufacturer in supporting this briefing was checked to identify any further information.
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The manufacturer's website was thoroughly investigated.
Evidence selection
The inclusion criteria were as follows:
Patients: patients presenting at emergency departments.
Intervention: the CG4+ and CHEM8+ cartridges using the i‑STAT analyser for blood test (manufactured by Abbott). Studies using other cartridges or unspecified cartridges were excluded.
Comparator:
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laboratory based blood sample analysis
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any other point‑of‑care blood analyser which can measure the same range of tests.
Outcomes: any relevant efficacy and safety clinical outcomes, including:
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diagnostic accuracy/test characteristics
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time to gain a test result
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resources required to gain a test result
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effect on the patient pathway.
Study design: published clinical studies including controlled and observational studies will be included. Systematic reviews and meta‑analyses will be used for identifying relevant primary studies only. Proof of concept and non‑English language studies will be excluded.