COPD Management News and Views

These notes are for guidance only and must not be used as a substitute for the i-STAT manual or full user training

• Controls should be kept refrigerated, but away from the freezer section and not in the door sections
• Cartridge should be at room temperature. A single cartridge takes a minimum of 5 minutes to equilibrate to room temperature. Cartridges can be left at room temperature for up to 2 weeks
• Control vial should be at room temperature. For panels including oxygen, the vial should be equilibrated at room temperature for a minimum of 4hours. Vials can be left at room temperature for up to 5 days
• If using a syringe, do not prime it before use
• Hold the control vial top to bottom between thumb and forefinger. Holding the barrel of the vial causes the liquid to warm and to change the level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the liquid phase
• Shake the vial vigorously for 5-10 seconds. There should be a froth on top of the liquid
• Do not knock out the liquid from the top of the vial before snapping open
• Insert the needle to the bottom of the vial to draw up the liquid
• Do not try to expel any air bubbles from the syringe
• Add to the sample port in one smooth movement
• If using capillary tubes to transfer the control material, do not stab at the hole, as this may cause a vacuum and pull air through the sample
• Use the vial immediately on opening. An open vial will equilibrate with air, e.g. causing raised oxygen results in level 1 control

This fact sheet, and loads of other useful information, can also be downloaded from the respiratory section of our web site.

Written by admin
Filed under: i-STAT Updates