Microcoag Machine

We use some brand of this machine & haven't had any issues. The strips tho are very expensive (like $4/strip or something close to that).

$4/test strip is far cheaper than the $6.50 charge just for the draw and $37 something for the test.

Thanks for your input.

we recently started using Coaguchek machines and so far, I have not had the greatest luck. strips are $6 each and it is very temperamental...if you dont get that drop of blood on "just so"...forget it...you often use 2-3 strips to get it right. just my experience with our monitors

we use INRATIO machine, get some pipettes to use to place the blood from the finger to the strip, you need to place the machine on a firm surface (bedside table), put the strip in, and when ready place the drop of blood on the strip, using the pipette allows you know you have enough blood (marker on pipette)

We just had an inservice - you can only use the IN Ratio when the pt is taking an oral anticoagulant. No Lovanox or heparin SC.

mc3

You don't DO INRs on people taking Lovenox or Heparin. This system looks easy...the lancet has 2 ends. One end makes the cut and there is a little cup on the other side that collects the blood. I'm just a bit uneasy about the DPH and the never ending regulations.

This sounds like our system, the lancet has one end that makes the small incision and the other end has a small cup that collects the blood. it's all in the timing. Took me a long time to get the timing right. Clean that finger first, and then follow the onscreen instructions. Don't know the name of the system though. Most our PT/INR's are done on 11-7 and I work 3-11.

$4/test strip is far cheaper than the $6.50 charge just for the draw and $37 something for the test.

Thanks for your input.

LOL.. So I will admit to our big Oooops! Several of us didn't realize that the strips were that expensive, so we used several to practice on each other so we would be more comfortable with the whole procedure. So, initially we didn't save much money

Our strips look and act much like blood sugar strips. We use the same lancets that we use for blood sugars and the strips just suck up the blood (although it does seem to take more blood then the glucometer).

Money aside (my ED doesn't like it when I say that) I think it'll be better for everyone. Our lab does once a week draws...that's it. Any other day we have to pay for a stat. The tech comes at 5:50 AM...we get the results back 12 hours later so by the time we get the results and call the doc....you get it. I've suggested more than once that we change our Coumadin time from 6p to 8p since we never get the results and a new order by 6 but change comes slowly out here in the ocean.