| carbohydrate utilization test | A test for the definitive identification of clinically important yeasts and yeastlike organisms. (05 Mar 2000) |
|---|---|
| drug utilization | The utilization of drugs as reported in individual hospital studies, FDA studies, marketing, or consumption, etc. This includes drug stockpiling, and patient drug profiles. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug utilization review | Formal programs for assessing drug prescription against some standard. Drug utilization review may consider clinical appropriateness, cost effectiveness, and, in some cases, outcomes. Review is usually retrospective, but some analysis may be done before drugs are dispensed (as in computer systems which advise physicians when prescriptions are entered). Drug utilization review is mandated for medicaid programs beginning in 1993. (12 Dec 1998) |
| oxygen utilization coefficient | The extraction coefficient for oxygen in any given tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
| utilization review | An organised procedure carried out through committees to review admissions, duration of stay, professional services furnished, and to evaluate the medical necessity of those services and promote their most efficient use. (12 Dec 1998) |
| utilization time | The minimum duration of a stimulus of rheobasic strength that is just sufficient to produce excitation. Synonym: temps utile. (05 Mar 2000) |
| packed red blood cell | <haematology> Red blood cells collected from one individual that are packed into a small volume for transfusion into a patient. (16 Dec 1997) |
| red blood cell | <haematology> Cell specialised for oxygen transport, having a high concentration of haemoglobin in the cytoplasm (and little else). Biconcave, anucleate discs, 7nm diameter in mammals, nucleus contracted and chromatin condensed in other vertebrates. Acronym: RBC (18 Nov 1997) |
| red blood cell cast | A urinary cast composed of a matrix containing red cells in various stages of degeneration and visibility, characteristic of glomerular disease or renal parenchymal bleeding. Synonym: red cell cast. (05 Mar 2000) |
| red blood cell count | A normal value is 4.6-6.2 million RBC's per cubic millimetre of blood. This number can increase in cases of dehydration (fluid loss) or severe lung disease. Interestingly, red blood cell counts are much higher in those who live at high altitude, because of the increased demand for oxygen carrying capacity. (27 Sep 1997) |
| red blood cell indices | Laboratory measurements of red blood cell volume, size and haemoglobin concentration. These values are used to point to the specific cause for anaemia (iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, etc.) (27 Sep 1997) |
| red cell adherence phenomenon | A phenomenon manifested by the adherence of antigen-antibody-complement complex to "indicator cells" (microorganisms, platelets, leukocytes, or erythrocytes), the reaction being sensitive and specific for the antigen and antibody in the complex. Synonym: erythrocyte adherence phenomenon, immune adherence phenomenon, red cell adherence phenomenon. (05 Mar 2000) |
| red cell adherence test | The diagnostic application of the immune adhesion phenomenon. Synonym: erythrocyte adherence test, immune adhesion test, red cell adherence test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| red-cell aplasia, pure | Suppression of erythropoiesis with little or no abnormality of leukocyte or platelet production. (12 Dec 1998) |
| red cell cast | A urinary cast composed of a matrix containing red cells in various stages of degeneration and visibility, characteristic of glomerular disease or renal parenchymal bleeding. Synonym: red cell cast. (05 Mar 2000) |