Haemoglobins
POCT Test Name
Haemoglobin
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Instruments Hemocue monitors. |
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Location within CDHB
Burwood Hospital- PACU (OR); Special Care Unit; Orthopaediac OPD- (Hemocue).
Christchurch Women's Hospital- Fetal Maternal Medicine, (Beckman Coulter Act-8 haematology analyser).
CWH- Birthing Suite; Gynae Day Stay Unit; (Hemocue)
Christchurch Hospital-Theatre 9 (OR); Recovery; (Hemocue).
Tests measured
Haemoglobin. Hemocue monitors are small transportable meters that utilise a disposable microcuvette. A few microlitres of blood from a capillary collect are aspirated into the microcuvette which is wiped carefully and then inserted into the Hemocue meter. Result in g/L in 60 seconds.
Sample and volume requirements
Hemocue- 10 µL is the sample volume.
Consumables
Hemocue Microcuvettes.
Controls
Hemocue Control cuvette, calibrated to each monitor. Used before each patient test.
Weekly correlations by the POCT Coordinator.
Reference Range
All reference ranges can be found in the CHLabs test database. Click on the left hand menu link to Canterbury Health Laboratories home page, then click on "Tests".
Sources of Error
Hemocue:
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Poor capillary collection technique
- Always wipe the outside of the cuvette windows with a soft tissue. Wipe away from the cuvette opening. Do not draw any blood out of the cuvette inadvertently.
- Always fill the cuvette in one swift movement. Don’t top it up.
- The filled cuvette should be free of bubbles or small clots and blood smears before being placed in the cuvette holder
- Avoid taking samples from an arm with an IV line.
- Do not leave a tourniquet on for longer than 2 minutes. Hydraulic pressure may affect results.
- Difficulty in obtaining a capillary sample due to poor flow of blood may cause errors.
AcT8:
- Sample from drip arm
- Inadequate mixing before analysis
- Clots
- Haemolysis
Competencies
AcT-8 competencies are available.
Hemocue competencies are available.
Contact the POCT Coordinator for details.
