Firstly, we are still having problems with cartridge failures on our 4000 analysers. Ours seem to be a mixture of initial CVP failures or a parameter "fixing" which never resolves (resulting in a crtridge having to be replaced), or various solution A//B errors. We have been told that no other sites have this many problems. I wondered if this were true, particularly as factors such as CVP failures could only be due to us installing the cartridge in correctly, which is actually difficult to do wrong. This means there is a consdierable down time when these analysers need to have their cartridge replaced, the data copied, and be re-calibrated.

Secondly, we have recently had an issue on SCBU where some completely erroneous results were obtained on 3 separate occasions, but when the internal data for the analyser was reviewed, nothing was amiss, according to IL. I have wondered whether this might be due to the thick film technology that I understand is used on these sensors, and may be due to the presence of free haemoglobin? This could have arisen as a result of haemolysis while taking these (capillary) samples, but the if this was the case, I still am extremely concerned that result such as undetectable glucose, lactate, and inappropriate pO2 and pH levels could be reported and potentially acted upon.

Pauline Angel

Principal Biochemist

Chemical Pathology Department

Barnet & Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust

Barnet Site

Wellhouse Lane

Barnet

Herts

EN5 3DJ

Tel: 020 8216 4338

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

Patients first and foremost The information contained in this email and any attachments may be subject to public disclosure under the NHS Code of Openness or the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Unless the information is legally exempt from disclosure, the confidentiality of this email and your reply cannot be guaranteed. The information transmitted is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons other than the intended recipient is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you received this in error, please contact and advise the sender and delete all record of the material from your system. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust unless otherwise specifically stated. Although believed to be virus free, accurate and complete, responsibility for any loss or cost arising from its receipt or use or its incomplete or inaccurate transmission is hereby excluded to the fullest extent possible.