DCA A1C reagent shortage

We have had significant issues getting cartridges. We've been limping by sharing week to week with our 7 sites. Some sites have room for ordering large quantities. We were able to get a few from a different vendor. Current vendor is supposed to be getting small shipments from Siemens now. We'll see. 
We do not have a main lab method. That wouldn't help our off site Endo clinics anyway. 

We were told that several reagents are on back order.  So far they have been sending us partial shipments to keep us afloat, but if we do run out our patients will have to get drawn for a central lab test.  Fingers crossed it doesn't come to that!

Our backup plan is the clinical laboratory.

Here in NY/PA we are having the same issue.  The problem is Siemens manufacturing.  I was told it is a "supply chain issue".  Our back up method is a lab draw and test by the clinical lab if we run out of reagent cartridges.

Hi All
Was told Siemens expanded service line but it was having issues.... We are falling back to sending to our hospital affiliate. Our supplier sent us information on an alternative, Abbott Afinion 2...not in a situation to switch to a whole new system!

Same as others have stated, back up is blood draw to affiliate hospitals or LabCorp per patient's insurance/request.  Our supplier also mentioned switching as an alternative, which we aren't able to switch especially since as a physicians group we use the same systems and interface as our main hospital affiliate.

Hi Adonica,
I will freely admit that 'no one' in a dozen clinics thought to tell me about the backordering. I found out via an email I was cc'd on by the distributor as she suggested an alternative manufacturer/vendor/instrument/method to use to 'get around the lack of Siemens' backordering'. 

I went to the other distributor we can use, laid it out on the line (the email may or may not have been splashed with tears). He took action and within a few days had a shipment out. 

Agree with Contessa - backup plan had to be draw/send to the lab.

Hi,
Yes we are also having backorder issues.  We are good until the end of the month.  Hopefully, we will get some of our orders in by then.  Backiup will be to send out for HPLC.  We were looking to switch to the Affinion before this issue because of the 3 minute test time.  

I just got word today that Siemens does not expect to ship until mid September. 

Word from who Debra? Siemens?

I have had orders placed for over 7 weeks now. I received 3 cases yesterday from Cardinal.

We normally order through Fisher. Our buyer received the information through them. I am not sure if she actually contacted Siemens.

Appreciate current posts on Siemens Vantage A1c backorders (still going on).

I appreciate this ability to know what's going on across USA supply chain.

We are having a difficult time with orders as well. Our backup plan for the onsite clinic is the main lab. However we have many offsite clinics where this obviously does not work. So in the meantime we are shuffling the cartridges around with who needs it most at that current moment.

Below is an explanation from Siemens from March 10 (much longer than two weeks ago). My purchasing department has placed us on an allocation list. 

Per our discussion, the Siemens production line for DCA reagents was down for two weeks undergoing necessary upgrades and repairs.  The production line is now back up and running however, it will be at least another two weeks before all of our backorders are filled and the distributor distribution centers are back up to necessary inventory levels.  I apologize for the disruption in your A1c patient testing.  

I reached out to our distributer and Siemens rep.  The Siemens rep responded that he had not heard September as a date that it will be resolved, however he knows production has improved over the las two weeks.