| Autor: |
Justin D Vrana, Nuttada Panpradist, Nikki Higa, Daisy Ko, Parker Ruth, Ruth Kanthula, James J Lai, Yaoyu Yang, Samar R Sakr, Bhavna Chohan, Michael H Chung, Lisa M Frenkel, Barry R Lutz, Eric Klavins, Ingrid A Beck |
| Jazyk: |
angličtina |
| Rok vydání: |
2022 |
| Předmět: |
|
| Zdroj: |
PLOS Global Public Health, Vol 2, Iss 2, p e0000185 (2022) |
| Druh dokumentu: |
article |
| ISSN: |
2767-3375 |
| DOI: |
10.1371/journal.pgph.0000185 |
| Popis: |
Usability is an overlooked aspect of implementing lab-based assays, particularly novel assays in low-resource-settings. Esoteric instructions can lead to irreproducible test results and patient harm. To address these issues, we developed a software application based on "Aquarium", a laboratory-operating system run on a computer tablet that provides step-by-step digital interactive instructions, protocol management, and sample tracking. Aquarium was paired with a near point-of-care HIV drug resistance test, "OLA-Simple", that detects mutations associated with virologic failure. In this observational study we evaluated the performance of Aquarium in guiding untrained users through the multi-step laboratory protocol with little supervision. To evaluate the training by Aquarium software we conducted a feasibility study in a laboratory at Coptic Hope Center in Nairobi, Kenya. Twelve volunteers who were unfamiliar with the kit performed the test on blinded samples (2 blood specimens; 5 codons/sample). Steps guided by Aquarium included: CD4+ T-Cell separation, PCR, ligation, detection, and interpretation of test results. Participants filled out a short survey regarding their demographics and experience with the software and kit. None of the laboratory technicians had prior experience performing CD4+ separation and 7/12 had no experience performing laboratory-based molecular assays. 12/12 isolated CD4+ T cells from whole blood with yields comparable to isolations performed by trained personnel. The OLA-Simple workflow was completed by all, with genotyping results interpreted correctly by unaided-eye in 108/120 (90%) and by software in 116/120 (97%) of codons analyzed. In the surveys, participants favorably assessed the use of software guidance. The Aquarium digital instructions enabled first-time users in Kenya to complete the OLA-simple kit workflow with minimal training. Aquarium could increase the accessibility of laboratory assays in low-resource-settings and potentially standardize implementation of clinical laboratory tests. |
| Databáze: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |
| Externí odkaz: |
|
