Siemen's EPOC

Debra,

The reason behind us looking to switch to EPOC is...we are only three weeks from when ABBOTT sent out the letter and can't get CG8+ cartridges.  The demand is so high that Abbott is now allocating those cartridges to whom they feel need it the most.  We currently use ~600 CG8+ cartridges a month.  My facility has 21 ISTAT devices.  We are a Level 2 Trauma Center, Level 3 NIICU, Only Burn center in 4 states, not to mention Cathlab that's constantly busy...no need to go on.  We are a busy place and can't get the equipment we need. 

I talked to our service Rep yesterday and Abbott is telling folks to find another platform.  The reason behind this is they don't know if they can keep up with the demand.  They feel rather than lying to customers they are going to let the customers make the best decisions for themselves to lessen the impact to patient care.

Hi Tom,

I would like to have a copy if your epoc IQCP and SOP if possible.

Thanks

Ellie

Sent via Groupsite Mobile.

Tom,

Here is my email for epoc IQCP and SOP:

Elham.badamchian@hcahealthcare.com

Sent via Groupsite Mobile.

We have been using ePOC within the laboratory at small Community clinics with an ER for a few years.  Not connected to Middleware as we could not connect to Cobas IT and we didn't connect to our LIS, our choice. It is used for Blood Gas testing and as Chem backup of our Chem analyzer.  Also used in ER for Chem and BG when Lab Techs are ot working. Our main issue is our internal comparison for Creatinine on the ePOC vs our Abbott Architect.  Would like a copy of an IQCP if willing to share.  My email is rod.loveys@easternhealth.ca

Is there a definite guideline from CAP whether we can use G3 until May 2020?  Seems like with the current shortage of CG8, if CAP says it's ok to continue G3, that buys us some time to transition to epoc.

Zain,

If you choose to continue with the G3 then I think it would be high complexity testing as a Laboratory Developed Test because of the FDA recall.

I spoke with Lena Portillo at CAP yesterday. She said that the G3+ appears to NOT be FDA approved. When I asked why CAP can't be more definitive, she said that this is what Abbott has told them. When I talked to an Abbott rep, they are saying that the FDA dictated what they put in their notice. SIGH.....

At any rate, from a CAP point of view, these cartridges are now considered high complexity if you use them, not being FDA approved. Since they're going away in May, I would think long and hard about doing all that work for just a few months.

Since our CAP window is open, I asked about citations if the G3+ is being used. She said that CAP was telling inspectors NOT to cite this as long as the facility had a plan to go to another method. Thank goodness--this whole thing has been both frustration and work for POCCs and HARM to patients!

Hello Susan and all,

We have been using the EPOC for the last five years at our facility. It has been a great substitute for operating a full scale blood gas lab in our OR and Cath Lab areas. However, before launch we had done a few studies to compare EPOC results vs Istat and Siemens Rapid point and Radiometer ABL90 blood gas analyzers. We did notice discrepancy when it came to Hgb and Hct. The EPOC tends to falsely decrease these values by 1-3 mg/dL and 3-9% for Hct. Overall it has caused an increase in blood utilization for these departments when they rely on the EPOC alone for those values.

We had warned the physicians before the instrument launch that this was a known issue. This year we are moving away form the EPOC and switching our POCT to the Radiometer ABL90 because of the skewed Hgb & Hct results.

Thomas, I would also like to be included in your fan group for the IQCP for the EPOC. We have a remote clinic that will be using this instrument soon. Thank you very much for your contribution to less stress for all 

My email is: mstrunk@southcentralfoundation.com

Hello Thomas,

I'd also like to join the growing list for IQCP request. TYU1@hfhs.org

Thank you,

Tiffany

Hi Thomas

Can have the IQCP and procedure for EPOC? For learning purpose

Thanks

Nubia Wood

If you have a chance, I would like a copy too.

jpasillas@elpasochildrens.org

Thank you!!... 

We are installing drivers for EPOC and considering a validation start up.  I would greatly appreciate a copy of the IQPC and procedure as well.

Stetzm@email.chop.edu

Thank you

Mike Stetz

Thomas Miller, we are looking at moving to the EPOC also would you mind sharing your procedure and iQCP with me? sawilson@firstsurgical.org

Thomas Miller, I would also appreciate a copy of your procedure and IQCP for EPOC, please.  My email is Sonya.evans@prismahealth.org.  Thank you in advance!