EBOLA-POCT TESTING- CBC

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Our institution is currently developing a protocol for the management and testing of patients with suspected Ebola virus disease should the need arise.
I am interested in learning if other institutions have addressed Ebola testing, particularly with respect to point-of-care testing. Specifically, can anyone share their protocols, or recommendations regarding point-of-care CBC analyzers that may be suitable for this setting?
Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.


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Back a few years, ~ 2018 ish, sysmex got many orders for their pocHi analyzer. 
We offer in the designated BSC in Microbiology, HB by Hemocue, Malaria rapid test, make thin films in BSC, fix in methanol, followed by formalin, air dried, then stained in the main lab for WBC + PLT estimate only and malaria thin film. That is all.
If the patient is confirmed for ebola, the hemocue, (and pocHi if that is what we used) whould have to remain in the designated testing area rather than return to use elsewhere. 

Hi Jim,
Thank you so much for your response!  Can the pocH-100i be used for EBOLA testing?  I was reading under IFU that is not intended for critically ill patients.  I was wondering if there is an exception for EBOLA testing?

Our institution implemented a designated HID space in our ED around 2015, and we have the following POC analyzers: i-STAT, Piccolo, Hemoscreen, and malaria RDT for Ebola or any other suspected VHF's. We are currently re-evaluating our processes as well.  
Olivia, if you would like to post your contact details, I can email you our protocols.

Thank you so much Michelle!
Here is my contact information:
 
Olivia Severdija, BS, MLS (ASCP)
Manager, Microbiology/Point-of-Care Testing
Laboratory Administration
Mount Sinai Medical Center
Tel. 305-674-2265

 

Olivia, 
from Sysmex, Oct 2014: (you may want to contact them or refer to their website if more up to date info available)
Frequently Asked Questions for Sysmex Customers Regarding Ebola:
Q: An Ebola virus sample was analyzed by a Sysmex instrument. How do I decontaminate the
instrument?
A: If you have analyzed an Ebola sample or suspected contaminated sample with any Sysmex
instrument, you should execute the shutdown procedure as indicated in the IFU for that particular
instrument.
Q: An Ebola virus sample was analyzed by a Sysmex pocH-100i™ instrument. Will Sysmex
service the instrument?
A: There are three scenarios regarding the pocH-100i™ and Sysmex's ability to service the
instrument:
1. The lab places the pocH-100i™ inside the isolation unit, which is accessed only by staff
wearing appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for BioSafety Level-3 (BSL-3)
and BSL-4. Sysmex staff will not enter these units, and the instrument cannot be removed
for service. If the instrument is in need of service and cannot be repaired by customer staff,
it should be disposed of according to your facility's hazardous waste disposal process.
2. The lab uses the pocH-100i™ in or near an environment intended to analyze samples for
WHO Risk Group 4/CDC BSL-4 infectious diseases; Sysmex will not accept the return of
the instrument for depot service.
3. Any pocH-100i™, regardless of the lab setting, that has been used on a BSL-4 infectious
disease sample is not eligible for depot service or on-site service.
Q: An Ebola virus sample was analyzed by a Sysmex instrument other than the pocH-100i in a
routine lab setting. Will Sysmex service the instrument?
A: Yes. Sysmex anticipates continuing to service such instruments on-site and in accordance with our
service agreements. Field Service Representatives are trained to use PPE and determine when to
perform decontamination, based on a risk assessment of direct contact with fluids in the instrument.
Support via the Sysmex Technical Support Center will be provided 24x7.

We have validated the pocHi over the wide range of clinical values for WBC, HB, PLT and it correlates well with the main lab cell counter.
(Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC)

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Olivia Severdija
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