New Technology Detects Hemolysis During the Draw

As you know, I keep my finger on the pulse of the industry so you can focus on what you do best and still stay informed. I just caught wind of a new technology launched in Europe that may be jumping the pond soon. If it meets expectations, it could help solve a problem many have thought unsolvable: hemolysis during a venipuncture.

The device, produced and marketed by HemCheck, detects hemolysis in venous and arterial whole blood samples in vacuum tubes and syringes before you ever leave the patient. If you're filling directly into evacuated tubes, it checks during the draw. Yeah, wow! It got me to sit up and take notice, too. 

With HemCheck's patented "v-test" device, if the sample is hemolyzed, you know it immediately and can take corrective measures---i.e., reposition the needle, use low-vacuum tubes, etc.---or simply redraw before leaving the patient. The concept aims to ensures every sample you deliver to the lab is free from hemolysis due to collection technique.

The patented concept uses a portable photometric reader and two testing devices depending on the method of collection; the "v-test" for evacuated tube collections and the "s-test" for syringes with luer connections, including those used for blood gas collections. When filling directly into an evacuated tube, for example, the filled tube is removed from the tube holder and immediately inverted into the v-test device, which filters a minute quantity of blood for direct measurement of the the coloration of the plasma in the reader using only one hand. (See demo here.) With a syringe, the syringe-specific "s-test" is attached after the needle is removed and a minute portion of blood from the syringe is tested in like manner. If hemolysis is detected, a redraw can be conducted immediately. Depending on whether arterial or venous blood is collected the hemolysis test can be done either at the point of collection or in connection with analysis.

Because the reader gives instant, direct feedback on each tube or syringe, recollect rates due to hemolysis can be significantly reduced. That's critical, especially in emergency departments since studies have shown recollections add an hour the the availability of actionable laboratory results, 90-minutes for non-stat draws elsewhere in a healthcare facility. 

According to HemCheck, a recent study (publication pending) including 758 blood samples at the the largest emergency unit in Sweden found a 54% decrease of the hemolysis rate when the system was employed. One hundred percent of the participating medical staff were in favor of continuing use of the instant hemolysis test and the concept is now implemented in routine work since the beginning of the year. 

With the average frequency of hemolysis in emergency care at 5-12%, costing facilities hundreds of thousands of dollars every year, the v-test can lower hemolysis rate and associated costs with up to 80%. (Hemcheck makes an interactive customized cost/benefit analysis model available.)

For more information: https://hemcheck.com/.