ABG analyzers

Our system has been with Radiometer for probably more than 15 years.  I think that they are the leaders in blood gas technology and have always gone above and beyond in customer service and tech support.  Here are my only negatives:

• for ABL90, we have had our struggles with the glucose and lactate parameters - failing to calibrate and/or pass QC upon cartridge install.  Right now we've been having good luck, so I am hopeful the issue is behind us (however, I've said that before).


• for all models, operator's manual and reference manual leave something to be desired.  In my opinion, they are not logically organized - I find it difficult to find things.  I don't know if the root of this is that something is lost in in translation from Danish to English, but it might be.  Example - looking for the process for Electrode Replacement?  Well, you'll find it not under "e" for electrode, but under "r" for replacement .  Makes writing procedures a challenge, to be sure...

We have a GEM 4000. The Pro is that the complete sample pathway is contained in the one  cartridge, all reagents, internal control solutions and sample waste. The Con is the same - everything is in the cartridge- so when problems occur the only troubleshooting tech service says to do is "Change the cartridge" - a $1500 answer. Currently there is a Chloride is on about every other cartridge I install. There is no external QC peer group or program so you are on your own if you don't have an IQCP that relys solely on their internal QC. The only improvement the GEM 5000 has is that the CVP 1 and 2 that we run at cartridge install is now also included in the cartridge and runs automatically. The software has improved with the last update.

One last "pro" on the ABL90 - no IQCP necessary, as the internal/on-board QC follows the identical path that a patient sample does.  Major plus.