Siemen's EPOC

Mornin Susan,

We have 15 instruments strategically placed and programmed all over the campus with 2 as backups in the main Lab. It is the only ABG system in house. The biggest pros, being able to do abgs at the bedside. Our respiratory team loves it! The system is Interfaced with RALS and has a service contract.

The Cons are expense and the fact that customer service and attention has gone down the crapper since Siemens took it over. If you are going to oversee the test cards like we do, be aware they only guarantee a 3 month out date. Also we have changed our iqcp to track any coinciding lab results in order to identify occasional discrepancies or test card problems asap. (which, is a bit of work)

Overall its a great system our teams have them really integrated into the workflows. However, frustrations with the vendor the past year have my eye's open for something comparable that's not an ISTAT.

Feel free to hollar if you have questions or want to see our iqcp (which is a really detailed pros and cons of its own right?)

Happy friday 

Tom

Hi Thomas,

I am new to this site and I see that you are using EPOC. I work in ORMC in upstate New York as the Lead Respiratory Therapist for ABG's with our license under laboratory and we are currently using Rapidpoint 500. We are looking to buy into EPOC. I really like the analyzer but do not know a lot about POC. Can you share with me your experiences with EPOC and the differences of point of Care vs. bench top regulations?

Thanks,

Mary

Hey Tom,

We are planning to acquire EPOC ASAP, since we are not guaranteed a timely delivery of the i-Stat cartridges.  We had a demo last year, so, Respiratory is familiar with the system.

When you place an order of the cards, how soon are they received?

I would like to preview your IQCP, since the process is going to move rather quickly, once the PO is cut.

Thank you 

Susan

susanw.whitehurst@springhill.org

Tom,

We have >100 iSTATs, and are looking at epoc.  I would love to see your IQCP.  thawkins@christianacare.org  Thanks!

Terry Hawkins

I would love to see it too if you can share.

Thanks,

Dianne

dianne_jenkins@trihealth.com

To all,

I got rid of the EPOC and went to the ISTAT in one hospital in 2016.

The pros for the EPOC are hand held and wireless with cartridges at room temp storage. You can also order by test if that is attractive. All of these apply to the ISTAT except for the room temp storage.

The cons:

 If your wireless is spotty as ours is in older construction.....It is only wireless.

The cards come in with a much shorter outdate than the ISTAT cartridges.

For us, cost per test is more than an ISTAT.

Menu is not comprehensive so the attempt to standardize for larger institutions is not possible.  (No ACT, Trop and others) I certainly did not want two platforms for to comps.

The software to run the EPOC had limited capabilities. When we used it last, there was not a mechanism to track 6 month comps in the software. The EPOC was directly interfaced to the LIS. I am not sure if there is a middleware solution that would allow for better tracking or if the software has improved since the time I used it last. 

Deanna Bogner

210-297-9657

Once they have a PO, we usually see the order in 24 hrs, occasionally 48.

Thanks tom. I cannot call today. Would Monday or Tuesday morning be good for you? Let me know.

Thanks,

Mary

Hi Tom,

Can I ask what discrepancies or test card problems with EPOC you are referring to in your original post? And how often are you seeing these issues?

Thanks!

Terri! 

Hello Thomas,

I would like to see your IQCP, we will have to use the EPOC soon. Can you also share your file?

Thank you!

Good morning Thomas, we are also going to transition to EPOC from I-stat and I would love a copy of your IQCP as well.  TIA.

Hi Thomas,

My hospital is about to start validation and switch to EPOCH from i-STAT. I would also love to see your IQCP.

thanks

Linda

We are also switching from iSTAT to EPOC. Would you mind sharing IQCP with me? Thank you in advance.

Claudia Leblanc

Portsmouth Regional Hospital

Claudia.leblanc@hcahealthcare.com

Thomas,

We are looking at transitioning to EPOC as well.  Would you share your procedure and IQCP with me?

Thanks

Karen

Morning Thomas,

We are looking at the EPOC as well.  Would you share your IQCP with me?