Makes Blood Gas Testing Safer and Faster

Radiometer's new blood gas analysis system uses a mix of automation, information and sampler technology to help ensure correct sample and patient identification, increase operator safety and reduce time spent on blood gas testing.

The system, called 1st automatic, consists of three elements: the prebarcoded safePICO blood sampler, the ABL800 FLEX blood gas analyzer with a sampler queue module and the FLEXLINK software.

With the FLEXLINK software, operators can scan or enter their ID, the prebarcoded safePICO sampler and the patient ID. The software links together and stores these three critical identifiers, right at the bedside, reducing the risk of incorrect sample and patient identification. Once the sampler is placed on the ABL800 FLEX analyzer's queue module, the analyzer "recognizes" the unique sampler barcode and retrieves all information associated with it.

Because they are fully automated, 1st automatic blood gas measurements are also faster and less error-prone. Up to three samplers can be placed on the analyzer's queue module. Once identified, each sample is automatically mixed and measured and the correctly identified result is then made available to caregivers on their platform of choice, e.g. PDAs, patient monitors, information systems or the analyzer itself.

To increase operator safety, Radiometer's new safePICO arterial sampler has an onboard safety device with one-hand operation for safe removal of needles. In addition, operators can use the tip cap to quickly expel all air bubbles and avoid contact with patient blood. The sampler also comes with an integrated device providing faster and more thorough mixing.