EPOC Conversion
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Would like to get feedback from those of you who converted from i-STAT to EPOC? How was your experience? What are the pros and cons? Thanks.
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Epoc Cons:
Converting to Epoc from iSTAT: stress to users that the cartridge must not be inoculated until it has been inserted into the "Reader" and the 180 calibration timer has finished.
Epoc rate of "Breakage" on instruments that must be replaced due to malfunction seems to be very similar to iSTAT.
Experience: Switched from iSTAT to Epoc about 16 months ago. ~800 users and 70 analyzers.
Welcome
The staff didn't like it so much. Their major complaint was, "It takes too long." It takes the same amout of time as the iStat. It's just the calibration is performed on the front end before you add the sample vs with iStat, you submit the sample and wait 2 minutes for the result.
iStat - insert sample into cartridge--> insert cartridge into istat --> wait 2 minutes for results
EPOC - Insert Card --> wait for 2 minute calibration --> insert sample --> results in 30 seconds.
IStat and EPOC were create by the same person.
The staff is incredibly inpatient for the 2 minute calibration on the front end to present the sample vs immediately producing the sample and waiting for the 2 minutes for results.
EPOC limitations - no ACT or coag results. EPOC is 2 pieces. Reader and Host. Cath Lab would sometimes remove the host from the reader and put them back on the wrong reader and then call me because, "it's broken." The Host and Readers are not interchangeable.
EPOC Technique - The way to present the sample is not as easy as istat but gets easier with practice. IStat has the capillary action to collect the specimen in the cartridge vs EPOC where you take the plunger of the syringe, insert it into the collection area, turn the plunger a quarter turn, then press down on the plunger a smidge to add the sample. It beeps when you have enough sample. Users tend to overfill the card or have bubbles. Most people adjust and get used to it. They all still complain about the time it takes to present the sample.
Uploading the new software is easier with IStat, in my opinion but the EPOC is not so bad. I didn't like that I didn't get EPOC reminders to upload software like abbott sends.
Overall, I like EPOC. It just takes some time to get used to since it is different. Hope this is enough info for you,