Anyone familiar with i-Stat Lab Grade Finger Stick INR Instrument?

[ALCapshaw2]

I had a finger stick INR measurement just before having my infected cyst Lanced. INR came back as 5.5 after an inordinately LONG time. The tech put a HUGE drop on the test strip. An hour or two later, I returned to my Coumadin Clinic and the Head Nurse ordered a Lab Draw (which was done using a Butterfly). Result was called in a couple of hours later as 3.2

I'm told that anything over 5.0 is retested by Lab Draw as the i-Stat machine is known to read high above 5.0

I'm confused. ASSUMING the Lab Draw was correct (at 3.2) why would the i-Stat read so high? FWIW, my ProTime machine registered 3.8 the next day. I don't know what to believe!

Anyone have any ideas? (Note that I had been on Bactrim, an antibiotic, for 3 days prior to testing).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I just had ANOTHER High INR reading (4.9) from an i-Stat finger test maching at my Coumadin Clinic and this test was performed by the Charge Nurse who knows what she is doing.

Even though this didn't technically meet their mandatory Lab Draw Verification criteria (=>5.0), it was close, was my second such high reading, and we were looking at starting Bridging for Surgery (postponed due to other medical issues), she ordered a veinous draw which came bace at 3.2

This makes me VERY concerned about the accuracy of the i-Stat instrument. They KNOW it can read overly high on higher readings, BUT, to be giving results in the 5 range for an IN RANGE (3.2) INR seems to bring the reliability / accuracy of THAT instrument into serious question.

AL Lodwick: Are you familiar with the i-Stat instruments?

'AL Capshaw'

 

[geebee]

Boy, I am not familar with this test instrument but I would agree with you that it is highly suspect.

My lab draws usually come back about .4 lower than my INRatio but almost a 2.0 difference is scary.

Maybe it's time for you to get an INRatio monitor?

 

[Guest]

I never heard of this. Usually the manufacturers of these things contact me early on, wanting me to "test drive" them.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Boy, I am not familar with this test instrument but I would agree with you that it is highly suspect.

My lab draws usually come back about .4 lower than my INRatio but almost a 2.0 difference is scary.

Maybe it's time for you to get an INRatio monitor?

AMEN, AMEN !

I have a ProTime Machine which was eventually paid for by BCBS of Alabama BUT when I went to order more Test Strips, I was told that is Durable Medical Equipment which goes through my company's Home State. I can't even find anyone there who knows what Anti-Coagulation is and they have not responded to the 2 letters I have sent asking how to appeal. I keep a few test strips around for 'just in case' situations and pay for them myself. Even after I received notification from QAS that BCBS was now covering home testing, THEY have not been able to get approval from MY company. ARRGH !!!

'AL Capshaw'