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Shirley - I've recommended the i-STAT for 3 sites here so far (Cystic Fibrosis unit, orthopaedic OTs - both at remote sites, and some OTs just near our main site here) although these are not strictly speaking critical care. Our 9 ITUs, main OTs, several HDUs and 2 A&Es have blood gas analysers. There re 2 main reasons for recommending i-STAT: - areas requiring short TAT, but with low test numbers, and/or sporadic testing rather than constant throughput, - staff shortages, meaning that we can't take on any more POCT blood gas analyser support. The i-STAT has a good track record analytically if used correctly, but high cost per test, which matters with high test numbers (if low or sporadic, then costs compare favourably with a blood gas analyser with constant throughput of calibrant/wash solns/electrode/membrane replacements or time-limted cartridges). The users are happy with the anaytical performance, but mostly unhappy with the "management" they have to do (apart from the CF unit where a superb senior physio runs an excellent system) - stock control/ordering, thinking ahead to take cartridges out of the fridge before use, keeping track of in-date stock. You have to insist that a named person on site takes responsibility for supervision of all that and you have to organise them re training and QC/EQA and keeping proper records because they won't do it otherwise. I think this is generally the case with POCT - they love it if someone else (ie lab staff) do all the maintenance etc., but never realise how much is necessary if we don't. Dr MJ Pearson Department of Clinical Biochemistry & Immunology Old Medical School Leeds General Infirmary (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust) LEEDS LS1 3EX UK tel (44)-113-392-3945 fax (44)-113 392-3453. http://www.leedsth.nhs.uk >>> Shirley Spoors <[log in to unmask]> 23/06/2006 12:02:29 >>> Dear All We are considering introducing the portable, hand-held i-Stat system onto Critical Care (and perhaps the emergency department) but we do not have any experience in the use of this bed-side technology. Does anyone have this system in place and would like to share his/her experience with us? Many thanks Shirley Dr Shirley Spoors Consultant Biochemist Department of Clinical Biochemistry Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/ ------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content. ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/