WE tried them a few years ago and found problems with the SST gel - IT floated off and blocked analyser sample probes. They may have solved the problem. WE changed back to B-D because of it & were told that at the time there were only 3 manufacturers of the gel used in SST tubes and that the one that supplied B-D only supplied B-D.
On the sampling needles, I found no problems but actually prefer the centrally situated needle (with a 25 degree bend applied before use). There appeared to be no haemolysis problem.
Plastic tubes seemed not to clot quite as well as glass and tended to lose vacuum [B-D cite an expiry date on their tubes due to risk of vacuum loss but I've used 2-yr past date tubes with no problem]
ON balance we stuck with B-D despite the financial advantages of other suppliers; and the inefficiency of the B-D rep; because we preferred the tube.
TIM
***************************************************************************************
Prof. T. Reynolds,
Clinical Chemistry Dept,
Queens Hospital,
Belvedere Rd.,
Burton-on-Trent,
STAFFS,
DE13 0RB.
---------
Tel: +44 (0)1283 511511 ext. 4035
Fax: +44 (0)1283 593064
-----------
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: c=GB;a=NHS;p=NHS NATIONAL INT;dda:RFC-822=acb-clin-chem-gen-request(a)mailbase.ac.uk;
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2000 11:28 PM
To: c=GB;a=NHS;p=NHS NATIONAL INT;dda:RFC-822=acb-clin-chem-gen(a)mailbase.ac.uk;
Subject: Evacuated tubes
Our Medical Center has been recently been approached by the Greiner Company
from Switzerland, who wish to provide us with their evacuated tubes for
both Chemistry and Hematology.
Up to now, we have used the B-D tubes, and have been entirely satisfied
with them professionally. The Greiner proposition, however, is
substantially cheaper, and is causing our finance people no end of
salivation at the prospect of saving money at the phlebotomy end of our
operation.
Has anyone had experience with these tubes?
Specifically, these are my concerns regarding the Greiner system:
1. The holder contains, as an integral part, the inside needle assembly.
The outside Luer (to which the phlebotomists attach any size needle
according to their need and the patient) is eccentrically situated, which
is preferable to the physicians and phlebotomists, yet the inside needle
must be concentric to be able to pierce the center of the rubber stopper of
the evacuated tube. This results in a "dog-leg" double right angle, of the
plastic connector between the outside and inside needle. Does this cause a
greater incidence of hemolysis?
2. The tube holder is shorter, and slightly wider, than the one B-D has.
Does this cause any "wobbling" of the tubes while in the holder? Is there
any problem for the phlebotomist to stabilize the tube in the hand, while
inserting the needle into the vein, or while changing tubes?
3. The tubes are made of a specially hardened plastic, rather than glass.
In order for the clotting to be more effective, they suggest adding their
beads to the tubes. Does this cause any problems?
4. They have gel tubes, but I am sure that the gel is not the same as that
in the B-D tubes. Has anyone looked into the effect of this gel on
chemistry and hematology parameters?
Information from anyone who has had experience with the Greiner tubes
(especially including the continuing support and the training they provide)
would be most useful to us here in making our professional assessment of
the question.
You can easily guess which way the financial officers wish to go, however I
would be greatly disturbed (as I am often with these people!) if we had to
compromise too much in our professional opinion regarding the use of these
tubes.
Thanks to anyone who comments!
Oren Zinder
Prof. Oren Zinder
Department of Clinical Biochemistry
Rambam Medical Center
Haifa, ISRAEL 31096
Tel: +972-4-854-3767
Fax: +972-4-854-2409
email: [log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|