When selecting the right blood gas analyzer unit, facilities should look into the level of device automation. Since non-laboratory trained personnel often use these blood gas monitor devices, it is better to have more automated features and greater data-management capabilities.
All point-of-care blood gas analyzer devices should have basic data management features, including a way of recording patient identification, test results, and date and time. If trained personnel are not available when the test is performed, then intermediate data management capabilities are more desirable.
Carbon dioxide analyzer systems should be able to capture quality control results, reagent lot numbers, and operator ID. Some facilities should consider more advanced data management functions, such as the ability to collect data from one or more blood gas monitor devices into a central data repository, which can be a stand-alone PC or an information system.
Advanced data management capabilities will usually include the ability to generate reports based on the collected oxygen analyzer data.
These oxygen analyzer devices should be able to provide test results in a hard copy, including a built-in printer or communication with an existing printer.
It is recommended to have a computer interface to enable automatic results reporting and communication with a facility's data management system.
Facilities should perform a thorough cost-benefit evaluation of their current blood gas monitor testing, versus the point-of-care testing before they decide to begin a point-of-care blood gas analyzer testing program.
The ongoing costs of operating point-of-care pH analyzer instruments are often higher than those of central laboratory equipment, and this is on top of the initial capital investment. The maintenance of point-of-care testing devices is often more expensive than that of the central laboratory analyzers. However, since patient care is often improved, cost savings can be realized in other areas of the quality control, and some benefits of this testing may reduce overall costs in the long run.
Facilities with high-test volume are more likely to realize savings than those with a low-test volume. The potential impact on savings grows with the test volume. The point-of-care testing can lessen the need for duplicate test runs due to error during sample transport and unneeded tests performed because of delayed results.
Some tests are usually less expensive to run than others, and the blood gas monitor instruments they need may be cheaper than other analyzers, so the cost of equipment and reagents varies based on the test types.
It is recommended that facilities look into other options available to them before they decide on starting carbon dioxide analyzer point-of-care testing. The specific situation in each facility determines whether blood gas analyzer point-of-care testing will be cost effective or not.

Read more valuable tips on the Medical Equipment Buying Guide by MedWOW >>