Demand for innovative POC Instrument reaches all time high as NHS adopts Clot-free Blood Gas Testing  

Demand for the cobas® b 123 POC System, the point of care blood gas analyser from Roche, has reached an all time high, since its launch in 2011, with a record number of installations in the first quarter of 2014.  With its broad range of critical care parameters and its robust and reliable operation, it has become an important and valued addition to many intensive care units, emergency departments and other critical care settings in hospitals throughout the UK.
 
“The huge demand for the cobas b 123 demonstrates the confidence that hospitals have in this point of care system,” commented Peter Jones, National Sales Manager HIVD, Roche UK.  “It has many important design features that make it ideal for obtaining rapid and reliable results in critical care settings.  It is virtually maintenance-free and extremely easy to use, with intuitive, touch-screen operation.  Customers particularly like its unique clot-catching mechanism which ensures maximum system uptime.”
 
The clot-free operation of the cobas b 123 is particularly important in the monitoring of critically ill patients where rapid, reliable results and minimal delays are extremely important.  The system detects and eliminates clots in three different places within the analyser, ejecting them safely and immediately into waste.  This prevents disruption and delays that can be caused by blockages due to poor quality samples.
 
“The complete support package that we have received from Roche for the cobas b 123 POC System – from the initial pre-installation phase to the organisation and rolling out of training, and IT integration – has been excellent,” commented Lisa-Marie Button, POCT Manager, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.  “The fact that this support is on-going and additional structured training is offered over the life of the contract gives us complete confidence in the cobas b 123 analysers that we have installed throughout the hospital.”
 
The cobas b 123 POC system offers full connectivity to laboratory information systems for remote monitoring of system performance, status and results.  Its broad range of critical care parameters include: blood gases, electrolytes, glucose, lactate and full cooximetry, including bilirubin.