![]() The device should be protected from extremes of temperature as much as possible. They may also be stored at room temperature (18 to 30 ☌ or 64 to 86 ☏), but only for up to 5 days.Īnalyzer: The i-STAT analyzer (and accessories) should be stored in the hard plastic case provided in the allowance standard. If a cartridge is removed from the refrigerator, then the labeled expiration date should be crossed out and the temperature expiration date should be written on the cartridge package.Ĭontrols: Blood gas, electrolyte, and chemistry controls should be stored at 2-8☌ (35-46☏). Cartridges should not be returned to the refrigerator once they have been warmed to room temperature, and they should not be exposed to temperatures above 30☌ (86☏). For example, CG8+ cartridges may be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks then they must be discarded. Cartridges may also be stored at room temperature (18-30☌ or 64-86☏) for the time frame defined on the cartridge box. In this state, they may be used until the date shown on the cartridge pack or box. ![]() CCATT members are tasked to perform these quality checks to ensure lab tests are accurate.Ĭartridges: The main supply of cartridges should be kept refrigerated at 2-8☌ (35-46☏). Controls are liquids that are injected into the cartridge (instead of blood) the cartridge is then inserted into the analyzer and run to validate the cartridge. Both types of simulators mimic the signals that a cartridge, loaded with blood, would send to the analyzer simulators validate the analyzer. Internal simulators are built into the analyzer and external simulators (Figure 4) must be inserted into the analyzer in the same port that receives the cartridge. There are two types of simulators for the i-STAT: internal and external. The quality controls for the i-STAT system are simulators and controls. The CG4+ cartridge measures lactate, pH, PaCO 2, PaO 2, TCO 2, HCO 3, base excess, SO 2. The fill mark is at the beginning of the blue segment. The CHEM8+ cartridge (Figure 3) measures creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), glucose, ionized calcium, anion gap, TCO 2, chloride, potassium, and sodium. The EG7 cartridge measures sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, hemoglobin, hematocrit, pH, PaCO 2, PaO 2, TCO 2, HCO 3, base excess, SO 2. The blue arrow just to the right of “CG8+” defines the fill mark when blood is loaded into the cartridge this indicates the volume of blood necessary to perform the test. The CG8+ cartridge (Figure 2) measures glucose, sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Cartridges are each loaded with a sample of the patient’s blood and inserted into the bottom port of the analyzer for analysis. The cartridges that are typically stocked for use by CCATT are the CHEM8+, CG8+, EG7+, and CG4+. The results displayed on the screen depend on the type of cartridge inserted into the analyzer. Test results from the i-STAT are generally available in 10 minutes or less. The i-STAT analyzer can measure multiple different lab values: cardiac troponin I, electrolytes, blood gas, urea, creatinine, glucose, ionized calcium, and international normalized ratio (INR). ![]() Finally, teams are also responsible for protecting POC testing equipment from the elements. In addition, teams must be aware of the specific drugs and environmental conditions that alter test accuracy. 3 CCATT must therefore understand how to use the equipment, be able to troubleshoot and calibrate the analyzer, and also provide quality assurance with controls and simulators (the function of controls and simulators will be defined below). One of most important environmental factors that medics must always be cognizant of are extremes in ambient temperature exposure to extreme temperatures can render results inaccurate.Ĭritical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATTs) use the i-STAT (Abbott Point of Care, Princeton, NJ, USA) as their POC device (Figure 1). 2 In this sense, POC testing is ideal for the En-Route Critical Care (ERCC) environment, however, austere ERCC conditions can affect the POC test results. 1 Because POC tests are performed in a non-laboratory setting, they are designed to be as simple as possible and produce reliable results when used by non-laboratory health-care professionals. Point-of-care (POC) testing is defined as a pathology or laboratory test that is performed at the site of clinical interaction allowing immediate decision regarding treatment.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |