Near patient haemostatic assessment - A growing field

There has been increasing interest in near patient assessment of haemostasis. This niche has expanded in clinical situations where rapid alterations in patients' clotting status occur. Examples include transplant, cardiac, trauma and vascular surgery, intensive care, obstetrics, and interventional cardiology. The conventional haematology laboratory is unable to provide a fast and comprehensive assessment of the haemostatic state. Most near patient devices have not, however, been sufficiently scientifically validated and are not used within the context of evidence based protocols.