I just received INRatio equipment. My PHP, who is not familar with home testing has asked that I monitor both ways (home test and lab test) for a time period until we are both comfortable with INR results. I agreed and I have cleared it with Anthem BC/BS that they will cover duplicate testing for a period of time. Is there anything I should know or do to assure the results of the lab are fair to the in home test ?
Home test vs Lab test
- Thread starter dick0236
- Start date
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G
geebee
Dick,
Congrats on your new toy.
The important thing, when comparing the two properly, is to test at the same time. Either take your monitor with you to the lab and test immediately after the blood is taken for the lab test (do not use the blood from your arm - do a finger stick) OR go home immediately after and then test. If you wait too long between tests, the results will not be accurate.
I always find that my lab tests are about .4 lower than my INRatio but many people find them dead on. I guess it depends on how the blood is treated at the lab. If it sits around, it can affect the test.
Good luck.
Congrats on your new toy.
The important thing, when comparing the two properly, is to test at the same time. Either take your monitor with you to the lab and test immediately after the blood is taken for the lab test (do not use the blood from your arm - do a finger stick) OR go home immediately after and then test. If you wait too long between tests, the results will not be accurate.
I always find that my lab tests are about .4 lower than my INRatio but many people find them dead on. I guess it depends on how the blood is treated at the lab. If it sits around, it can affect the test.
Good luck.
Ross
Well-known member
I still think the best way is to test someone not on an anticoagulant and if you get .9 to 1.2 from them, it's accurate. I can take my INRatio to the hospital and their lab and my machine are nearly dead on. I can take my INRatio to the Doctors Clinic and it's .5 or more off of theirs. There really is no good way except to do as Gina said and test at the very same time they draw the blood. At least you know exactly when the blood left your body even if you can't tell how much time went by before they tested it!
If your Docs a statistician, here, give him some stats:
http://www.hemosense.com/docs/5500285_INRatio_vs_LAB_POC_RevB.pdf
If your Docs a statistician, here, give him some stats:
http://www.hemosense.com/docs/5500285_INRatio_vs_LAB_POC_RevB.pdf
K
Karlynn
If you're comparing against a lab, make sure they do it STAT. As Gina said, test at the same time, but make sure you get your lab results w/in an hour or two. This way you can be fairly certain that your blood isn't sitting around in the lab, which will effect the INR.
K
Karlynn
Here's some article you can print out for your PHP.
http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/72/1/44#TABLE1
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/530544
http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/cap_today/feature_stories/0305coagmonitor.html
http://www.oncolink.com/resources/article.cfm?c=3&s=8&ss=23&Year=1999&Month=1&id=2131
http://www.cigna.com/customer_care/...ioncriteria_prothrombin_time_home_testing.pdf
http://ats.ctsnetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/72/1/44#TABLE1
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/530544
http://www.cap.org/apps/docs/cap_today/feature_stories/0305coagmonitor.html
http://www.oncolink.com/resources/article.cfm?c=3&s=8&ss=23&Year=1999&Month=1&id=2131
http://www.cigna.com/customer_care/...ioncriteria_prothrombin_time_home_testing.pdf
