Ordering an INRatio

[catwoman]

I'll be faxing paperwork to QAS later this week to get an INRatio.

What should I order in addition to the actual unit and testing strips? (I assume they come with lancing devices, like the ProTime 3 cuvettes do.) Any favorites among lancing devices? I've read about ones that you can adjust the depth (as used by diabetics). What about capillary tubes?

I picked up a Hewlett-Packard case for $5 (was $30) at an Office Depot that will appear to make a darned good carrying case, based on the state dimensions of the INRatio. It's similar to one my mom has for her digital camera's printer.

(I have a very good home lined up for my ProTime 3 with another mitral valver in Arkansas. His insurer turned him down for a home testing unit.)

 

[geebee]

The INRatio comes with a carrrying case that holds the monitor tightly. There is also a pocket for test strips, the lancing device and lancets. They have thought of everything.

I used to use capillary tubes but have learned to do without. The important thing is to just barely touch the drop of blood to the well and the blood is sucked into it.

The lancing device and lancets that come with the unit have been great for me.

Enjoy - it is a wonderful "toy".

 

[Marty]

Marsha, for years now I have used the TENDERLETT for finger stick. It takes a shallow slice and always produces a nice drop. Doesn't hurt as much as a lancet. They are produced by ITC and you should be able to get a box from QAS. Now, Alice is on warfarin so I have had a chance to see how another person reacts to TENDERLETT. She says she hardly feels it. Warm regards, Marty

 

[catwoman]

Marty:

I have a lot of the Tenderlettes. One thing: There's an expiration date on them, but I wonder if that is really crucial. Seems that I've always been sent far more Tenderlettes than I would ever use.

 

[Marty]

Marty:

I have a lot of the Tenderlettes. One thing: There's an expiration date on them, but I wonder if that is really crucial. Seems that I've always been sent far more Tenderlettes than I would ever use.

I remember that. Mine are all out of date but still work. I don't think its significant. A big box does last a long time.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Catwoman

I think you have everything covered. We use the tenderletts, cap refill tubes are wonderful, they just bring that blood right up and you just release it over the green dot on the INRatio. You will love it.

We had our cardio write the script and include the cap refill tubes, tenderlets along with the strips. That way our insurance pays for everything. He also wrote a lifetime supply, so it's easy, all we do is call.

I bought a big padded bag from llbean. In it I keep the monitor in its case, our looseleaf to record numbers, electric adapter, alcohol pads, instruction books, and cap refill tubes.....all in their own individual containers. It's also padded, so the INRatio really is protected, even though the case it comes in is a semi-hard case.

Good luck with your machine......you'll love it.

Ev

 

[Ross]

I bought a big padded bag from llbean. In it I keep the monitor in its case, our looseleaf to record numbers, electric adapter, alcohol pads, instruction books, and cap refill tubes.....all in their own individual containers. It's also padded, so the INRatio really is protected, even though the case it comes in is a semi-hard case.

Good luck with your machine......you'll love it.

Ev

Sheesh it ain't like the thing is a life form and needs to live in a palace.

 

[Geordie97]

Ordering an INRatio

I've had my INRatio about a year or more and it works great. I do take it when I go to the cardiologist so I can compare my readings to theirs. They also use a portable INR machine but it's a different brand. The lancets that come with the unit work great for me.

Larry
Aortic Valve Replacement
Bjork-Shiley Valve - 1975
Congestive Heart Failure 2006
53 and still kicking!!

 

[catwoman]

Hi Catwoman

I bought a big padded bag from llbean. In it I keep the monitor in its case, our looseleaf to record numbers, electric adapter, alcohol pads, instruction books, and cap refill tubes.....all in their own individual containers. It's also padded, so the INRatio really is protected, even though the case it comes in is a semi-hard case.

Good luck with your machine......you'll love it.

Ev

Evelyn:
Your tote bag sounds like the bag I use.
I've stored my ProTime 3 in a padded bag I got at our cat association convention a couple of years ago. (You get all kinds of neat goodies when you're a voting delegate
It's more of a picnic-type bag, padded, with several zippered compartment. Perfect size for the ProTime, and I've kept my Tenderlettes, all INR records, ink pen, Band-Aids, pads and Al Lodwick's algorithm chart in it. The original shipping box is in the linen closet with charger.

Since I love the original L.L. Bean store in Freeport, maybe I could beg John to let me just run up there some weekend to buy one for the INRatio. Maybe I could write the trip off on our tax return???
Wonder if the Ben & Jerry's ice cream stand is still in front of the L.L. Bean store? I haven't been up there in 7 years.

 

[Philip B]

Testing Supplies

Testing Supplies

It sounds like you've got a good plan for everything you need.

Like Gina, I use the lancet device that came with the machine. One of my staff members who is a diabetic gave me a large box of lancets. He told me the lancets are pretty cheap at Walmart.

The carrying case that comes with the machine is pretty cool. When I made a trip to Arizona a few weeks ago I simply loaded a couple of lancets and test strips in the case, and put mine in my carry on bag.

The machine came with some easy to copy paperwork to assist with keeping a record of one's INR data. I just created a data form that I keep on one of my computers. I update the numbers every week and fax it to my cardiogist's office about once a month.

-Philip

 

[EVELYN]

Mmmmmm

Mmmmmm

Hi Cat

Whew, that's a pretty biggo trip up for a weekend.....don't think the IRS would be loving that one, )although I'd be happy to donate what I had to pay this year for your cause!!!!)

"Yes, Virginia, there still is a Ben and Jerry's ice cream stand right in front of the Freeport Store"......BUT DON'T TELL COOKER OR I'LL BE THROWN OFF THE THROWDOWN!!!!! It's great to think about, though.

Ev

 

[catwoman]

Evelyn:

I used to go to New England frequently, particularly when my niece was at Boston U.
On one trip, I was on a 7 p.m. flight Friday night, getting in after midnight. Two women were on the same flight. Each had a very small carry-on -- and 2 folded-up duffel bags. Destination: outlet stores in Freeport. They had reservations for the last flight out of Boston Logan on Sunday evening. It was to be a shop-until-you-drop trip. The duffel bags were for their goodies they found in Freeport.

Glad to hear that Ben & Jerry's is still there. I told John yesterday that I wanted to go up to Freeport and he rolled his eyes.

 

[cjune1961]

Question About Acquiring a Monitor

Question About Acquiring a Monitor

I applied for or rather sent in my info to QAS on February 21st, and have not heard anything yet. How long does it take for them to respond about the info submitted and I understand they do a credit check. Did they let you know how long it would take overall? Carla.

 

[Ross]

Carla you should have heard something along time ago. Follow up with a phone call to Lance Visinich at 1 800-298-4515 ex 2865 or email at [email protected]

 

[catwoman]

Carla:

I was told it could take at least 6 weeks to get something through insurance. The first time I got an INR tester, I went through insurance and it took maybe 4 weeks (this was in October 2003 that I first applied for one). I received that machine Nov. 19, 2003.

Because I travel so much and have occasionally taken my INR machine, I decided to get an INRatio. This time I paid out of pocket and will pursue reimbursement, and got my INRatio w/in 2 days of faxing in the paperwork. The unit came yesterday. I'll need to get forms from QAS with E-codes, etc., to send to Aetna for reimbursement.
If Aetna balks, I'll tell them that I saved them $$ by paying cash.
All thanks to Uncle Sam and our income tax refund, which also arrived yesterday.