Tips for buying Blood POC Analyzer

  1. When facilities are considering the purchase of blood POC analyzer (point of contact) units, they should look into the degree of automation of the device. Non-laboratory trained personnel often use these hematology analyzer units, and so more automated features and greater data-management capabilities may be desirable.
  2. All blood POC analyzer devices should provide basic data management features, including: a means of patient identification, record of the test result, date and time.
  3. When trained personnel are not available while the hematology analysis test is performed, intermediate data management capabilities will be desirable on top of the basic ones, including: captures of QC results, reagent lot numbers, and operator ID.
  4. There are more advanced data management functions that may be suitable for certain facilities. These advanced features may include the ability to collect data from one or more clinical blood analyzer devices into a central data repository, which may be a stand-alone PC or an information system, or the ability to generate clinical blood analysis reports based on the data collected.
  5. All hematology POC analyzer devices are expected to produce a hard copy of test results using a built in printer or an interface to an existing printer. A computer interface is also preferred to allow automatic results reporting and communication with a facility's data-management system.
  6. During cardiac surgery, activated clotting time testing is usually required and not PT or APTT testing capabilities. The most frequently ordered tests in a hematology point-of-care setting would be hemoglobin and/or hematocrit. A blood donor setting may only require hematology analyzer testing, while an intensive care setting may require both, and a clinic may prefer one or the other.
  7. Facilities should carry out a detailed cost-benefit evaluation of the current blood POC analyzer testing system compared with point-of-care testing before deciding to begin a clinical blood analyzer point-of-care testing program. They should keep in mind that in addition to the initial capital investment required, ongoing costs of operating point-of-care instruments are often higher than the operating costs of central laboratory equipment. However, some benefits provided by clinical blood analyzer point-of-care testing can reduce overall costs in the long run and improve patient care.
  8. Hematology POC analyzer devices can allow physicians to give faster, more appropriate diagnoses, by providing immediate results. This can diminish unnecessary treatments and tests, prolonged hospital stays and unnecessary stays. As a result of a better triage in EDs and pre-hospital settings, time spent in ICU can be minimized, thus reducing treatment costs.
  9. Different factors must be considered by different facilities when evaluating the cost effectiveness of blood POC analyzer testing. The facility's average TAT, reagent and disposables costs, and test volume are some of the factors. Others include the types of tests most often ordered, the areas in which point-of-care testing may be needed, and the personnel involved in performing the tests.
  10. The use of blood POC analyzer point-of-care testing will probably reduce the average TAT for laboratory tests. Having a point-of-care hematology POC analyzer eliminates the intermediate steps involved with specimen transport. If TAT can be reduced enough, the increase in reagent and disposables costs may be offset by reduced lengths of stay and improved quality of care.
  11. Duplicate test runs due to error during sample transport and unnecessary tests performed as a result of delayed results can all be reduced by hematology POC analyzer point-of-care testing. The cost of equipment and reagents can vary according to the test types; some tests are usually less expensive to run than others, and the instruments needed for them may be less expensive.
  12. Point-of-care blood POC analyzer applications usually have more potential for savings and improved care when used in the ED, the OR, and critical care areas. The effect of point-of-care testing on costs is different for each facility depending on the areas where it is used.
  13. The use of point-of-care blood POC analyzer testing will shift staffing expenses, as fewer nurses and clinicians will perform tests. Many employee expenses may be difficult to quantify. They should, nonetheless, be carefully examined by facilities considering the purchase of a blood POC analyzer. Time spent in transit by transport personnel will probably decrease with the reduction in specimen transport.
  14. Before deciding to begin point-of-care blood POC analyzer testing, facilities should look into other available options, such as pneumatic tube transport systems and satellite STAT laboratories.