Pilot Study on the Effectiveness of e-Laboratory Services in a Poor-Resource Setting: Implications in Drug Therapy

Abstract

Objectives : Laboratory services are poorly run in many low-income countries, severely constraining their input to patient care and disease surveillance. A pilot study on effectiveness of e-Laboratory services with modern packages that will carry out a range of individual component of tests facilitating delivery of results to the clinic through internet system was conducted in district and private hospital laboratories in a typical metropolitan city in eastern part of Nigeria, West Africa. Methods : Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to respondents (n=26) to determine the range of tests performed by the laboratories and the clinical demands from both district and private hospitals. Data were documented, analysed and presented in tabular and graphical forms. Results : Revealed that detection of malaria parasite accounted for the highest proportion of baseline tests performed given as 15.6% as compared to 6.3% reported for VDRL (venereal disease research laboratory) test and serum electrolytes respectively accounting for the least proportion. Fertility test given as 29.4% accounted for the highest proportion of special tests as compared to 5.9% reported for CD4 cell count and human papilloma virus respectively accounting for the least. Consequently, a significant number of clinical demands were not met by the existing laboratories impacting negatively on the outcome of drug treatment. Conclusion : In conclusion, the outcome of present study lends credence to the fact that e-laboratory systems may be considered better diagnostic approach in ensuring effective drug therapy of disease conditions.