Axis-Shield - Diagnostics for tomorrow's world

Axis-Shield Diagnostics Ltd is a company with a vision. A vision of the increasing clinical utility that in-vitro diagnostics can deliver to the NHS. As diagnosis and patient monitoring become increasingly important in A&E, outpatient, clinic and primary care settings, Axis-Shield will be working closely with the new Primary Care Groups and Trusts (PCGs/PCTs), hospital laboratories and other healthcare professionals to deliver relevant, cost-effective diagnostic products.

Axis-Shield Diagnostics in action…
The company has significant proprietary technology and an active programme of product development in cardiology, autoimmune disease and osteoporosis. In addition, our experienced UK salesforce represent a selected range of manufacturers with complimentary technologies and products…

To find out more about Axis-Shield and in vitro diagnostics…
Visit the Axis-Shield web site: www.axis-shield.com
01382 422000
sales@axis-shield.com
  In Cardiovascular Disease
Near patient testing has been well-proven in hospital acute services, and the Troponin, CK-MB and Myoglobin Triage system has become established in more than 2,500 A&E departments throughout the world. Recent reports have suggested that patients with non-acute cardiac problems can be better managed on the basis of PoCT information. For example, a new assay for B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) has been proven to assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of congestive heart failure. The body of evidence for the clinical utility of Axis-Shield's activated factor twelve (AFT) assay continues to build, suggesting that AFecTa™ provides a significant improvement over current methods of assessing risk of cardiovascular disease and thrombosis. In addition, our unique Homocysteine assay is rapidly gaining ground as an important marker in the fight against cardiovascular disease. PoCT versions of these laboratory products are in development. Software modelling is set to play an increasing role in cardiovascular risk assessment. Axis-Shield are working with specialists in the field and will be introducing a product soon that will make a significant contribution to a practice achieving the requirements as set out in the National Framework For Coronary Heart Disease.

Point of Care Testing (PoCT) for Infectious Diseases
BioStar provide powerful and sophisticated technology packaged in a series of simple to use devices configured for use in a patient setting. They have been shown to offer clinically significant sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value when compared to more traditional, laboratory-based tests. PoCT tests available now include: Chlamydia, Strep A, Strep B and CD-Tox.

In Allergy testing
A unique testing technology and test chamber that allows multiple allergens to be assayed simultaneously form the heart of the CLA system. Unlike single allergen tests, the CLA system assay provides results on up to 36 allergens from a single serum sample. Specific food, inhalant and children's panels have been prepared for the UK.

 In Autoimmune Disease
The continually expanding range of Axis-Shield DIASTAT® immunoassays offers excellent specificity, sensitivity and reliability in the detection of autoantibodies important in systemic autoimmune rheumatic and organ specific diseases. These tests continue to be based in the laboratory.

 

In Rapid Clinical Chemistry
The Vitros® DT60 system from Ortho Clinical Products offers fast, accurate diagnostics in a compact package that fits the needs of the point-of-care/satellite/community laboratory. The system uses well-proven and convenient dry-slide chemistry to deliver a broad test menu - basic and special chemistries, electrolytes and full lipid profile - almost 40 analytes in all. New to the Axis-Shield range, the exciting GDS Diagnostics Stat-Site® system delivers close to patient measurement of haemoglobin, glucose, paracetamol, ketones and cholesterol that correlate well to more traditional laboratory measurements.

 

STOP PRESS: a new PoCT test for Influenza (Types A & B) is now available from Axis-Shield. Treatment decisions can now be made on the basis of a definitive identification of the infective agent.

 

Click here to obtain a copy of THE NAPC REVIEW