The aim of this study was to assess the performance in terms of red cell damage of two peristaltic volumetric infusion pumps - the Alaris IVAC 572 (San Diego, CA, USA) and Arcomed Volumed VP7000 (Regensdorf, Switzerland). Various infusion pumps are available to transfuse blood at a predetermined rate. It is recommended that each machine should be individually assessed. This experiment used six units of single-donor-transfusable packed red cells and ran each unit through both pumps. This was carried out at 9, 28 and 35 days post-donation at rates from 2 to 150 mL h(-1). Post-pumping samples from these experiments, and a pre-pumping sample in each case, were analysed for levels of potassium and free haemoglobin (Hb). They were also examined microscopically for evidence of cell damage. Potassium levels showed no significant change with pumping on any occasion, but rose significantly as the samples aged. Free Hb showed some variation, but the only consistent finding was a similar rise in value with increasing pack age. Microscopic examination revealed no cell damage under any condition. Both pumps performed to an acceptable level and appear safe to be used for red cell transfusion.

No abstract

No abstract

Laboratory quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) programs have been extended and applied to point-of-care testing (POCT) both in hospitals and in the community. Some POCT analyzers have an integrated QC requirement and even operator lockout on QC omission or failure. Other POCT QC and QA schemes are paper based, the single biggest disadvantage being the time lag between the performance of the test and finding out if the achieved result was ''correct.'' This article describes an ''on-line'' quality program for POCT through the hospital intranet. The intranet site was developed to provide improved management of the QC and QA programs by the POCT team of all POCT systems in use, ''real time'' report to the POCT operator on input of QC or QA results, and POCT analyzer ''operating instructions,'' ''troubleshooting,'' and educational material. This intranet site provides the basis of a total quality program for hospital/clinic POCT. It currently covers QC and QA for capillary blood glucose, dipstick urinalysis, blood gases, hemoglobin, pregnancy test, and fecal occult blood (FOBs) but can be extended to include prothrombin time, activated clotting time (ACT), oximetry, and other POCT systems. The system is available in demonstration mode at www.poctquality.co.uk.

No abstract