pH Meter

1 followers
0 Likes

 We would like to start using pH meters to measure body fluids pH (Pleural fluids). Do you recommend a specific brand?

9 Replies

We got rid of ours due to calibration issues.  We found strips/paper that covered the pH to .01.  Physicians are ok with this.

Thank you.


I would like to explore that option too. Can you email me the details please?


wael.hassan@atlantichealth.org

For most fluids we can now use the Rapid Point 500 blood gas machine.  Otherwise, we use the HACH H135 mini lab meter.  It only goes to one decimal point but docs don't seem to care.  We use it for urines and body fluids not clear enough to use on the blood gas machine.

Thanks a lot Ivy.

We spent a TON of time validating a method for this. A pH meter is not a good method for measuring pH because you want to keep the sample anaerobic (loss of CO2 causes the pH to falsely increase). Temperature also affects the pH.


The pulmonologists insisted that the blood gas analyzers are the gold standard for pleural fluid pH measurement, which made sense because it measures the pH at body temp and you're able to prevent room air contamination. Unfortunately the respiratory therapists use the GEM4000's and they are not FDA approved for body fluids. We ended up doing an off-label validation on the iSTAT (due to cost) and the test is run in the lab. In our validation we found the lab pH meter would generally be 0.3-0.4 units higher than the GEM and iSTAT.

Valuable information Jessica!


Thanks a lot for sharing your experience.

Has anyone had success using the EPOC for pleural fluid pH?


 

"Has anyone had success using the EPOC for pleural fluid pH?"


We are in the initial stages of bringing the Siemens EPOC into our system.  I have asked our REP this specific question and told:



  • "The epoc is approved for venous, arterial, mixed venous and capillary samples, with the ability to run cord blood.  The epoc is not approved for body fluid otherwise, such as pleural fluid."


Using it on pleural Fluid would be off-label and therefor demand high-complexity requirements.  We are going to pass on that. 


Perhaps that would be OK in your system?


My respiratory department had the same issue with the iSTAT. They eventually bought a Radiometer 800 that is FDA approved for pleural fluids. I think Siemens has the only other blood gas analyzer with FDA approval for pleural fluid pH.





This transmission may contain confidential health information that is legally protected. As the recipient of this transmission, you are obligated to maintain it in a safe and confidential manner. Unauthorized re-disclosure or a
failure to maintain the confidentiality of the information contained herein could subject you to penalties under State and Federal Law.




If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.
If you have received this communication in error, please notify sender immediately.

Reply
Subgroup Membership is required to post Replies
Join POCT Listserv now
Wael Hassan
over 8 years ago
9
Replies
0
Likes
1
Followers
2166
Views
Liked By:
Suggested Posts
TopicRepliesLikesViewsParticipantsLast Reply
False Positive Urine Pregnancy Tests - SURE-Vue Urine kits
Amanda Casavant
3 days ago
50268
Amanda Casavant
2 days ago
Future Diagnostics IOPTH Test System-Import Issue
Catherine Acklen
4 days ago
60209
Catherine Acklen
3 days ago
CLIA Lab Director Site Visit Form/Checklist
Lori Pattison
6 days ago
00270
Lori Pattison