Recommendations for Instrumentation for A1C testing at our Ambulatory Locations

We have been using DCA A1c (Siemens) for years. A few years back we interfaced them through Telcor. None of our Endo staff has ever requested a different testing platform.

We used to use Affinion, but currently we use Siemens DCA Vantage interfaced via Telcor QML. In my opinion, the DCA is easier to use.

I have both the Afinion and DCA's in my system. Both are good but I prefer the Afinion since the maintenance is less. 

Another nice feature about the DCA HgbA1C is that the boxes of cartridges have a long expiration date....very helpful in our clinics.

We use Siemens DCA Vantage and are interfaced through RALS.  The analyzer is reliable and user friendly.  

Rolling out Affinion with RALS. It had better methodology comparison to the platform used in the main lab and takes into account different hemoglobins. Also less maintenance for end users and QC does not need to be rehydrated. 

We use the DCA and do not plan to switch. I had seriously looked at the Afinion but the sample has to be placed on the analyzer within 1 minute because the collection device is not anti-coagulated. The endo clinics said this would not work for their processes. 

Thanks everyone ! Great feedback..

We also use the DCA Vantage.  It's easy to set up on a network, is an absolute tank (9 years on our units and almost never a problem), and the reagents are very storage friendly (really good room temp storage for cartridges).