Error 8

[Bridgette]

Hi

For those who have the Coaguchek XS - last night when I tested my INR, I put in the test strip as per usual and immediately the machine beeped and said "Error 8". I took out the test strip, turned the machine off then back on and reinserted the strip - this time all was ok and I performed a test (INR=2.9).
I got a bit worried about it as this is the second time in a row that it has done exactly the same thing...so this morning I went to the lab and got a vein sample done - INR=2.6 so that's not a big difference really....result from XS must be true then.

Just wondering if any other users of the XS have experienced this? The handbook says that Error 8 is a diagnostic error? and if it continues, to get in touch with Roche because the machine may be faulty...I guess I'll call them tomorrow during office hours but in the meantime am just throwing out the question in case anyone knows anything about this.

Bridgette

 

[lance]

Haven't encountered an 8

Haven't encountered an 8

Hi Bridgette,
We haven't encountered an 8 since using the XS beginning last October. My husband and myself have experienced comparison tests with exactly the same INR reading as the lab and your comparison is close enough to not cause concern. I noticed that Ereror 8 in my manual suggests removing the batteries and to wait one minute before inserting.
I think a chat with Rita at Roche would put your mind at rest.
Please post their recommendations.
Best regards
Sandra

 

[Bina]

I've never had that. Like Sandra says, just remove batteries and it should re-set.

 

[cjune1961]

Errors on Coaguchek

Errors on Coaguchek

I have been attempting to home test for the last few weeks. I was okay the first two, problems with the lancets, but third week through recently I have been getting the error 6, and error 4's constantly and have used many test strips faultily. Have not gotten the error 8. Does anyone else have experience with these two errors?

Carla.

 

[Bina]

Look them up in your manual to be sure.

 

[lance]

6's and 4's

6's and 4's

This peaked my curiosity so I checked my manual.
Error 6--Measurement error. When my spouse started using my XS he would accidentally touch the strip with his finger while trying to touch the blood to the side of the strip. He does much better dropping blood to the top of the strip.
Error 4--Test strip is unusable. I don't know what to make of that.

Posted with sincerity--was the strip upside down or inserted the wrong way around?

I did that with my "S"--but that was early days and I was some what stressed using the monitor. I had a real battle to get mine and I think resistance to them I met with affected my confidence. Now I wouldn't be without one,

Sandra

 

[Bridgette]

I have a call in to Roche - I rang earlier but the technician wasn't available to speak to so they are meant to be calling me back some time today.
I'll let you know what they say.

Thanks to everyone who answered.

Bridgette

 

[Bridgette]

Well, today the very nice technician lady from Roche rang me back and talked about my machine.
She basically said what the handbook says - that Error 8 is an internal diagnostic error, and that I did the right thing by taking out the strip, turning off the machine, then starting again.
I said that I was worried and went to get a lab draw just to compare results -she said though that once the machine has the blood drop applied the quality control check that it then does ensures that the reading it gives you is correct - the way the machine is designed it is virtually impossible for it to give you a false result because the quality control check is so stringent - or words to that effect anyway....
She said that if it does it again to remove the batteries for at least one minute then reinsert them (as it says in manual)...and then, if the problem persists then to courier it to for them to check it out.
So I kind of feel ok now - just hope it all settles down.

Bridgette.

 

[cjune1961]

Coaguchek Error 6 & 4

Coaguchek Error 6 & 4

In response to Lance's post in the error 8 thread. The strips were right side up. I did try to drop the blood onto them on the top and from the side. I believe I touched them when trying to get them out of the container. It's hard to slide the strips out really. I think that would explain the error 4. I am attempting to get a call back from the home care facility that the strips came from to find out what to do with them and getting some more.


Carla.

 

[westie]

no repairs

no repairs

Bridgette, i hope your coaguchek xs fixes itself. because when i visited the very helpful roache team in auckland, the male tech there told me they had never repaired one of the xs models; he said they are just too complicated/sophisticated to do anything with. apparently all they can do is sell you a new one and ship the old one back to germany so some boffin can pull it apart to see what went wrong.

yes, any inr reading the xs posts has to be correct, i really believe that. i never get a lab test done.

as for trying to load the blood on the test strip from the top, i found that too hard. i have great success getting the drop of blood on my finger and drawing it off by the side of the test strip, it is much easier and you never miss.

 

[catwoman]

In response to Lance's post in the error 8 thread. The strips were right side up. I did try to drop the blood onto them on the top and from the side. I believe I touched them when trying to get them out of the container. It's hard to slide the strips out really. I think that would explain the error 4. I am attempting to get a call back from the home care facility that the strips came from to find out what to do with them and getting some more.


Carla.

Carla:

One thought:
Is it possible to take your unit to the place you purchased it from and have someone watch you run a test? Or does anyone there know how to use a CoaguChek?
Have you called or e-mailed Roche, manufacturer of the CoaguChek? They should have a tech support person who should be able to take calls from customers such as yourself.

 

[cjune1961]

6 and 4 errors

6 and 4 errors

Marsha,

The place is one and the same where the machine and strips came from. Home care facility did not have person or resources available to teach me. They sent me an extra instruction manual as a matter of fact. I believe they can give me the people/person to be contacted and what to do.

Carla.

Also, hope you had a wonderful time at the christening you attended.

 

[Bina]

Carla, I think if you had proper instruction in the first place, you would be happily testing without any problems or error messages.
I have just completed my 31st home test......no error messages, and never a wasted strip.
Remember to keep your supplies in the zippered case, in a cool area of the house.
The tube of test strips must be kept tightly closed at all times.

 

[cjune1961]

6 and 4 errors

6 and 4 errors

Bina,

I feel left behind in the instruction department. I received good advice on the lancets from the other posts from all of you. Now it is the strips and machine I have to figure out. I have it enclosed in the zippered pack that came with it. I open the container and try not to touch the strips but they seem stuck together and have to try to shake one out away from the others. I really do think that I probably touched them doing this. My bad, but am going to call around to see what to do. I went to my pcp's office last week and had a vein draw, the nurse there did say she thought the strips were tainted, but when I first received them, I did have two successful test results with one strip each time.

Carla.:

 

[Bina]

Yes, they kind of clump together in the tube....You can pull one strip out if you don't touch the bottom part with the computer info, just touch the very end and pull it out enough until you can grab the strip by the edges.
Of course before all of that you will have washed your hands, turned on the machine and loaded your needle.

 

[cjune1961]

6 and 4 errors

6 and 4 errors

Yes, I feel like I am in race trying to get the hands cleaned and dried, alcohol swabbed, getting the gauze and lancet good to go and pressing that button waiting for the sand clock to start!LOL.

Carla.

 

[lance]

In response to Lance's post in the error 8 thread. The strips were right side up. I did try to drop the blood onto them on the top and from the side. I believe I touched them when trying to get them out of the container. It's hard to slide the strips out really. I think that would explain the error 4. I am attempting to get a call back from the home care facility that the strips came from to find out what to do with them and getting some more.


Carla.

Hi Carla,

Sometimes it seems those strips want to stay together when they're being removed from the container. It's almost like they're magnetized to one another.
I think if the strip is touched after it's been inserted in the monitor the error # appears. It probably depends how hard the touch is. I'm sorry I wasn't clearer about that.

 

[Bina]

Yes, I feel like I am in race trying to get the hands cleaned and dried, alcohol swabbed, getting the gauze and lancet good to go and pressing that button waiting for the sand clock to start!LOL.

Carla.

Other members have said that they've had occasional problems from using alcohol swabs.
You don't need it.
Wash hands well, it is only a finger stick....risk of infection is next to zero.
Then relax and set up your stuff.
Only turn on the machine when you are ready. There is no rush.
If ever you want me to phone you and go over it all, just PM me your number.

 

[Bridgette]

Bridgette, i hope your coaguchek xs fixes itself. because when i visited the very helpful roache team in auckland, the male tech there told me they had never repaired one of the xs models; he said they are just too complicated/sophisticated to do anything with. apparently all they can do is sell you a new one and ship the old one back to germany so some boffin can pull it apart to see what went wrong.

yes, any inr reading the xs posts has to be correct, i really believe that. i never get a lab test done.

as for trying to load the blood on the test strip from the top, i found that too hard. i have great success getting the drop of blood on my finger and drawing it off by the side of the test strip, it is much easier and you never miss.

Aye?????? Sell me a new one?
Gosh, I was hoping that if necessary they would replace it because I thought warranty laws might apply. I have had it for only 18 months

Well, I am going to think positive and hope that doing the battery thing will fix the problem.

 

[catwoman]

Other members have said that they've had occasional problems from using alcohol swabs.
You don't need it.
Wash hands well, it is only a finger stick....risk of infection is next to zero.
Then relax and set up your stuff.
Only turn on the machine when you are ready. There is no rush.
If ever you want me to phone you and go over it all, just PM me your number.

Carla:
I just use an antibacterial soap to wash my hands with first. Then dry very carefully. And do a test.

If you can find someone else with a CoaguChek that you can work with, either in person or over the phone, that will help you.

I'm not very technically oriented. I got my INRatio the same week I bought a GPS device (Garmin 760). I had 1 week to learn how to use the GPS before a flight to Philly and 1 week to learn to use the INRatio before QAS' nurse called me to walk me through a test. My head was spinning! Both were really much easier than I had expected, than heavens.