free recalibration

[westie]

after 3 inr test results in a row on my coaguchek xs were the same (i.e. 2.3 ) i was begining to wonder if there was a problem with the tester

i phoned the auckland office of roche diagnostics (the manufacturer of the xs) mainly for reassurance i guess. they said it was very unlikely there was a fault, but that i was most welcome to either send it to them by courier or bring it in personally for a free check and recalibration if necessary.

the lady said i did not need to make an appointment and that the process was quite quick; she also said they have plenty of expert haemeotologists ???? there to help out.

it seems i can bring the xs in for testing as often as i like for as long as i like

reckon this is great service, i will try to take my tester to them this week

 

[Ross]

Its very unusual, but it's happened to me once before. To bad it doesn't stay that stable all the time.

 

[lance]

Last year I had 3 sequential tests showing the same INR on my "XS".

Unusual I know.

Thanks for sharing your information from Roche.

 

[Bina]

Before home testing I had 3 consecutive monthly lab draws that were 2.4
That was really unusual but my doc said it was no big deal.
If it should happen on my Coaguchek, I will be chasing my guinea pig, oops, hubby with my lancing pen.

 

[Magic8Ball]

Had 2.7 for several tests in a row, just be thankfull you are stable.

 

[westie]

wrong information

wrong information

.
i drove to roche diagnostics auckland office today, was very pleasantly greeted and taken to a special room set up for blood testing instruction. a lady inquired about how they could help me, carefully cleaned my tester with some wipes and then brought one of their specialist technicians to awner my queries.

he explained that they do offer a free calibration service etc for the old "s" model as it has plug in diagnostics etc; but that there is nothing they can do for the new "xs" model as it has its own internal check/quality control system, and there is nothing they can do to it

the technician explained how:
- it is almost impossible to the coaguchek xs to give a false reading; if there is a fault, the opening quality control check will freeze the tester making it impossible to proceed
- apparently the most common fault is with the test strips, the qs check will identify the fault and it can be solved with a new test strip or at worse, a new batch of strips
- none of these testers has every been repaired in new zealand or to the best of his knowledge, even in germany. if it is faulty, it becomes a throw away item!
- roche nz send all dead machines back to germany for identificatiion of the fault so it can be taken into account in new models, but they are never repaired
- only a tiny number if these inr testers have been sold here (the xs may be the market leader) the government gives free testers to all "heart kids" and there is a big drive on to distribute them through remote country areas
- he said some local medical person had written an internet based program allowing us to register, load in our test results and get a response from the program advsing what warfarin dosage to take and maybe this will be launched late this year

roche's 0800 advisory service sent me on a "wild goose chase" yesterday but i was really happy to have this opportunity to get some background information on the tester; i feel much more confident about it now.
.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

.
i drove to roche diagnostics auckland office today, was very pleasantly greeted and taken to a special room set up for blood testing instruction. a lady inquired about how they could help me, carefully cleaned my tester with some wipes and then brought one of their specialist technicians to awner my queries.

he explained that they do offer a free calibration service etc for the old "s" model as it has plug in diagnostics etc; but that there is nothing they can do for the new "xs" model as it has its own internal check/quality control system, and there is nothing they can do to it

the technician explained how:
- it is almost impossible to the coaguchek xs to give a false reading; if there is a fault, the opening quality control check will freeze the tester making it impossible to proceed
- apparently the most common fault is with the test strips, the qs check will identify the fault and it can be solved with a new test strip or at worse, a new batch of strips
- none of these testers has every been repaired in new zealand or to the best of his knowledge, even in germany. if it is faulty, it becomes a throw away item!
- roche nz send all dead machines back to germany for identificatiion of the fault so it can be taken into account in new models, but they are never repaired
- only a tiny number if these inr testers have been sold here (the xs may be the market leader) the government gives free testers to all "heart kids" and there is a big drive on to distribute them through remote country areas
- he said some local medical person had written an internet based program allowing us to register, load in our test results and get a response from the program advsing what warfarin dosage to take and maybe this will be launched late this year

roche's 0800 advisory service sent me on a "wild goose chase" yesterday but i was really happy to have this opportunity to get some background information on the tester; i feel much more confident about it now.
.

VERY INTERESTING News Westie !

It sounds like New Zeeland has 'leap-frogged' to be a world leader in anti-coagulation management for it's citizens!

I wonder how long it will take the U.S.A. to catch up???

'AL Capshaw'

 

[lance]

VERY INTERESTING News Westie !

It sounds like New Zeeland has 'leap-frogged' to be a world leader in anti-coagulation management for it's citizens!

I wonder how long it will take the U.S.A. to catch up???

'AL Capshaw'

and Canada to move forward from the dark ages.

 

[westie]

internet based computerised inr monitoring

internet based computerised inr monitoring

.
seems work on the above has been in progress since 2005 and if the roche technician is correct it will be launched in nz later this year

http://hcro.enigma.co.nz/website/print_issue.cfm?issueid=58#6.2

the above link is to the original paper in 2005 which gives quite a good outline of what is being developed
.

 

[M&M]

Hi Westie,

I tried 3 XS machines and tested each machine 3 times against the lab and all three never matched the lab blood work. I then switched to Protime - and they haven't matched the lab either. I went 3 years with a Pro-time and never had a problem comparing the lab with the Protime.

To make a long story short - they don't make things like they use to. I'm beginning to think home testing is not reliable. But I'll keep trying. But will not go 'solo' with the home testing - per my coumadin clinic.

STINKS !!
But I'd rather be safe than sorry and and don't plan on replacing this valve again.

Good Luck
M&M

 

[lance]

I trust the accuracy of my XS

I trust the accuracy of my XS

What was the differences between the lab and XS reading that you experienced?

My comparison tests aren't exactly the same either. I don't expect them to be. They don't use the same reagents. There is an expected difference of I think .8 between XS and the lab.

The differences I have experienced resulted in the same doseage change or no change whatsoever. My most recent was vein--3.5, XS 3.6. Prior to that vein, 4.0, XS 4.2. Doseage change the same. Some doctors probably interpret the XS reading as inaccurate.

I trust my XS more than the lab because I have no idea how long the sample sits around, nor how experienced the lab personnel are. I think there is an anti-coagulent present in the the vial containing the blood from the vein as well to prevent premature clotting. Has the lab calibrated their machine properly, etc. I don't want to think about vein scaring that would have occurred over all these years of vein draws either.

It's XS for me all the way. Just think if home monitors had been developed prior to the lab test the accuracy of the lab draw would be based on the monitor.

Some products aren't being manufactured as well as in the past but I don't think the XS is one of them. Products containing ingredients from China--pet food, children's toys, heparin, etc. are a different matter.

Happy home testing!

 

[Bridgette]

Ditto to everything that Lance just said.

A little while ago I had three readings of 3.7 in a row on my Coaguchek XS and I did wonder a bit, so the third time it happened I waited about 5 minutes then did another test which read 3.5. This reassured me.

I too have read about the software programme that Westie describes, and it sounds promising. Yay New Zealand for being innovative as regards ACT management!!
I have Al Lodwick's dosing chart, and I manage my own testing and dosing all with my GP's blessing. My desired range is "between 3.0 and 4.0 - about 3.5 is ideal" (surgeon's words) and mostly I am within range.
I did a test yesterday and it was 3.6, and I take 8.5mg of Warfarin per day. I remain consistent in my diet and lifestyle, and am aware of possible events that could affect my INR..

Bottom line - don't be scared of Warfarin, self testing etc - the average person can manage things just fine.

Bridgette

 

[Ross]

Hi Westie,

I tried 3 XS machines and tested each machine 3 times against the lab and all three never matched the lab blood work. I then switched to Protime - and they haven't matched the lab either. I went 3 years with a Pro-time and never had a problem comparing the lab with the Protime.

To make a long story short - they don't make things like they use to. I'm beginning to think home testing is not reliable. But I'll keep trying. But will not go 'solo' with the home testing - per my coumadin clinic.

STINKS !!
But I'd rather be safe than sorry and and don't plan on replacing this valve again.

Good Luck
M&M

You never will match the lab with your machine. It doesn't work like that. Your comparing apples to oranges.

 

[Ross]

http://www.zycare.com/

Anyone looked into this companies software package? They have a very interesting web based software package. It has and FDA cleared dosing algorithm.