Hemocue Use for Intrauterine Transfusions

Good morning, 
I considered the HemoCue but my medical director asked for us to go with the EPOC instead. The EPOC does have manufacturer clearance to run cord blood samples but I'm not sure about the HemoCue. It worked well, I actually ran it myself since there is the timing issue with the 3 minute calibration of the test cards. I recommend this for experienced operators only. 

Children's Hospital Colorado uses the HemoCue (Hb201+) for intrauterine transfusions. We had them interfaced to Telcor. They were used for TTTS pregnancies and Rh disease. They would usually take three to five measurements before, during and after the procedure. 

I am finding that the Hemocue 201 is not intended for use in cord blood samples or less than 2 years of age, the Hemocue 801 is not intended in use for neonates less than one month old.

Silka - How are you all using this, as waived testing?

Wow! We do not but I'm very curious about what others are using....

They also sent a specimen to the lab for confirmation on all measurements. Lab could turn around the H/H in under 10 minutes typically so it was always a bit of a head scratcher to me why they confirmed all of them, but they did. POC testing can be non-waived, and even high complexity with proper oversight and credential verification - in this case, all testing performed by a physician and test system treated as non-waived.

They will be sending to the lab for confirmation.  Thanks for clarifying the non-waived, because that is the route I felt like it had to go.

Ya, Children's Hospitals are special places where saying No to helping save a baby's life is really not an option :) You find a way to make it work.

We currently do a microcrit using separation technology, hematospin.  I was hoping we could switch to the EPOC as we only have one person currently trained for the critspin.  However  reading the replies I realized this is going to be difficult because of the sample timing.  Once you have the sample it will be at least 7 minutes before you get results where the doc gets them in just a few minutes and he is already asking for them as soon as hears the beep.