The epoc Blood Gas Analyzer delivers bedside testing for blood gas, electrolytes, and metabolites in less than one minute to assist with clinical decision-making.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Rapid Bedside Results: The epoc Blood Analysis System provides blood gas, electrolyte, and metabolite results at the patient’s side in less than one minute.
- Simplified Inventory Management: The system utilizes a single-use test card that is stable at room temperature and contains 13 analytes, eliminating the need for refrigeration.
- Enhanced Clinical Workflow: Integrated wireless connectivity allows for real-time patient identification and direct transmission of results to electronic medical records.
Siemens Healthineers is highlighting its epoc Blood Analysis System, a handheld, wireless solution designed to provide bedside results for blood gas, electrolytes, and metabolites in less than one minute, according to the company.
The system consists of three main components: the NXS Host mobile computer, the Reader, and the BGEM Test Card. The single-use test card contains 13 analytes, including hematocrit and lactate, and is stable at room temperature, which eliminates the need for refrigerated storage.
Testing involves a multi-step process where a clinician inserts the test card, scans the patient identification, and injects the blood sample. The system features a touchscreen interface and color-coded results to help healthcare providers distinguish between normal and out-of-range values.
The handheld solution is intended to support clinical response efforts where blood gas testing is critical, such as managing patients with respiratory infections. By performing testing at the patient’s side, the system helps eliminate sample transport and potential pre-analytical sample degradation.
In a clinical application at Huntsville Hospital, the use of the handheld device as part of a sepsis program helped the facility reduce its sepsis mortality rate by approximately 50%.
“For every hour you wait to give an antibiotic, the mortality for that patient increases 8%, so now that we have the handheld device, the nurse can get those results within 3 minutes, and we know how to treat that patient,” said Carissa Hicks, registered nurse at Huntsville Hospital, in a news release.
The system also includes secure wireless connectivity to confirm patient identification and mitigate transcription errors. Data can be managed through the Enterprise Data Manager (EDM) software, which transmits results directly into the electronic medical record (EMR). Additionally, the system integrates with the POC Ecosystem Solution to allow for centralized control of decentralized point of care (POC) testing across a healthcare facility.
Source:
- https://respiratory-therapy.com/products-treatment/diagnostics-testing/diagnostics/products-2024-blood-gas-analyzers/
- https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/en-us/blood-gas/blood-gas-systems/epoc-blood-analysis-system
