I have however heard of people successfully challenging speeding fines through questioning the calibration of the equipment.... But whether this is an old wives tail.
The same people who are also may believe that all POCT kits will always produce the correct result regardless!
Ian Hembling.
Senior BMS/ Training Officer
Clinical Biochemistry
Ipswich.
01473 703491
-----Original Message-----
From: Clinical biochemistry discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Addison
Sent: 12 May 2010 10:49
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: POCT alcohol breath tests
Do you really think that the police are that stupid? If the equipment were not properly calibrated then Mr Loophole would have a field day in court. I don't know if they have a NEQAS equivalent though.
Mike Addison
Quoting "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>:
>
>
> So are we to conclude that
> a) the police are charging and prosecuting people on the evidence of
> uncontrolled analytical equipment and
> b) the taxpayer is paying for instruments to be thrown away because it
> is cheaper than buying new calibrants?
> Or both: the instruments are neither calibrated nor controlled, if the
> money runs out.
> Oh, and on a technical point, I do hope they got the ketone
> interference sorted out.
>
> Maybe the newly installed government will look at this urgently?
>
>
>
> ----Original Message----
>
> From: [log in to unmask]
>
> Date: 11/05/2010 17:34
>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>
> Subj: Re: POCT alcohol breath tests
>
>
>
>
> A very simple and effective breath alcohol meter of the type used by
> the police is made by :
>
> Lion Laboratories,
> Ty-Verlon Industrial Estate,
> Cardiff Road,
> BARRY ,
> CF63 2BE
> Tel 01446-744244
>
> The one we use is the Alcometer 500 and is approx £500+VAT etc.
> Calibration gas is also available but this is so expensive it is
> cheaper to buy a new instrument. No there is no EQA before anybody
> asks.
> Jan
> Mrs. J. Still,
> POCT Manager,
> Biochemistry Dept,
> Watford General Hospital. 01923-217998.
> The views expressed in this message are personal and do not reflect
> West Herts NHS Hospitals Trust policy.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: James Emma (RW3) CMFT Manchester <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Tue, 11 May, 2010 16:42:54
> Subject: POCT alcohol breath tests
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Dear colleagues
> Two of our medical wards which manage patients with alcohol dependency
> issues are considering the introduction of a breathalyser type test.
> There are a host of reasons for considering this, including staff
> safety, contraindicated medicines in intoxicated patients, safety of
> other patients and visitors.
> I would be very interested in hearing from other sites that use these
> devices - and the merits or otherwise of the various products that are
> on the market Many thanks in advance Emma
>
> Ms Emma James
> POCT Coordinator / Chief BMS
> Laboratory Medicine
> Manchester Royal Infirmary
> Oxford Road
> Manchester
> M13 9WL
>
> Internal phone: 10597
> External: 0161 276 4891
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Central POCT Intranet:
> http://intranet.cmht.nwest.nhs.uk/directorates/labmed/poct/web/poctpol
> icy.asp
> Central POCT Internet:
> http://www.cmft.nhs.uk/directorates/labmedicine/departments/poct/pocth
> ome.asp
>
>
>
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> ------ACB discussion List Information--------
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> Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the
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Mike
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