Professor Sandra C. Buttigieg participated at the Sixth International Molecular Diagnostics Europe, organised by Cambridge Healthtech Institute. The event was held in Lisbon between 22 and 24 May.

This International Conference provides a forum for diagnostic developers in academia and industry, as well as end-users in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, to gain a comprehensive view of molecular diagnostics in prenatal, oncology, infectious disease, point-of-care, and liquid biopsy.

The networking event was an opportunity for over 400 delegates to learn about new emerging technologies, platforms and applications that will impact future healthcare delivery and pharmaceutical research.

'Process Optimization in the Emergency Department by the Use of Point-of-Care-Testing (POCT) in Life-Threatening Conditions', was the title of the presentation by Professor Sandra Buttigieg. Professor Buttigieg spoke on how POCT at the Emergency Department (ED) attains better objectives in patient care while aiming to achieve early diagnosis for faster medical decision-making. The research study assesses the benefits of POCT in the ED by providing examples.

Professor Buttigieg focussed on how the multiple case study approach utilises Six Sigma. This study provides clear examples of the effectiveness of POCT in life threatening conditions, as compared to the use of traditional central lab or the medical imaging department.