INTRODUCING THE

i-STAT SYSTEM TO
THE HOSPITAL
Navigating the Hospital

For in vitro diagnostic use only

For internal use only, not for customer distribution

Abbott Point of Care

The i-STAT System

4
Key departments to target
8 The i-STAT System
10 Central Laboratory
14 Critical Care
18 Cath Lab
20 Respiratory
22 Surgical Services
24 Emergency Department (ED)
28 Radiology
30 Competitive Comparisons
34 Handling Objections

IN LINE WITH SERVICE LINE

The i-STAT System can play a valuable role in
increasing system efficiency, supporting quality
and compliance initiatives, and accelerating
the patient care decision-making process
throughout the hospitals continuum of care.
The graph opposite illustrates the departments
that would benefit most from the i-STAT System.
Make certain you challenge yourself to visit
other departments outside of the lab.

Critical Care

(NICU, PICU, ICU)

Surgical
Suites

Cath Lab

Key departments
to target
Central
Laboratory

Emergency
Department

4 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

Respiratory

Radiology

i-STAT PROCESS

The power thats moving care to the bedside

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

The i-STAT System is a handheld device that brings

diagnostic testing right to the patients bedside and
provides real-time lab-quality results in minutes.
The system features advanced single-use disposable
cartridges that can be used throughout the hospital
to run the most commonly performed tests using just
two or three drops of blood.

Simplified testing
consolidated platform
eliminates the need for
multiple systems to perform
a wide range of critical tests
including cardiac markers,
blood gases, chemistries
and electrolytes, lactate,
coagulation, endocrinology
and hemotology to help
reduce both cost and
complexity.

With the industrys most comprehensive menu of

tests in a single platform, the i-STAT System is at the
forefront of expanding the technology driving bedside
point-of-care testing. These critical tests provide
diagnostic, treatment, and prognostic indicators
related to disease state and clinical practice guidelines
to support a patient-centric approach to healthcare,
allowing even the smallest hospital to potentially
improve both system efficiency and patient care.

Lab-quality results in
minutes requires just two
or three drops of blood to
run tests at the patients
bedside; provides results
within minutes to meet the
need for short turnaround
times (TAT) on critical test
results.

On the following pages, we will explore the clinical,

operational, and financial benefits the i-STAT System
delivers to its customers.

Handheld convenience
lightweight, portable, and
easy to use, the handheld
i-STAT analyzer allows
testing to be done at the
patients bedside throughout
the hospital, saving time,
improving efficiency, and
increasing staff flexibility.

Electronic quality control

(EQC) sample integrity,
sensors, and fluidics quality
checks occur automatically
with each unit use cartridge,
enabling labs to achieve
quality control compliance.

Ease of us intuitive 4-step

operation guides the user
through the testing process
and features seamless
integration of test results
into the HIS/LIS to
streamline the process and
reduce the chance of errors.

FAST FACTS ABOUT THE i-STAT SYSTEM

Currently used in

one in three
hospitals

in the US, including

over 500 EDs.1

Over

Over

placements
in high-acuity settings
worldwide1

cartridges
produced annually1

50,000

50 million

Reference:
1. Data on file.

6 |

For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

THE i-STAT SYSTEM

Streamlining the process

Physician
request

Bedside testing in
four easy steps
STEP 1

STEP 2

Insert two or three drops

of blood into the cartridge.

Slide the cartridge

into the analyzer.

Obtain
specimen

Run test at
bedside

STEP 3

STEP 4

View the results on the analyzer

screen within minutes.

Upload information wirelessly

or through a docking station.

Traditional blood analysis is a complicated,

multistep process that slows lab results, delays
diagnosis and treatment, and allows ample
opportunity for variance and handoffs that can
lead to patient errors. Bedside testing with the
i-STAT System, on the other hand, analyzes the
patient sample with minimal steps including
reducing the numerous traditional pre-analytic
steps to just one. By streamlining this process,
the i-STAT System reduces variance and
unnecessary delays, and eliminates manual errors.

Pre-analytic floor process

i-STAT process
Clinical process at the bedside

Dose cartridge,
Scan user ID
Scan Patient ID

2 - 10 minutes*
Results appear on screen
in 2-10 minutes minutes

Therapeutic intervention
at bedside

Download results to
Electronic Medical Record

* Analysis time dependent on cartridge used

8 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

The key to winning over the central lab is to

position the i-STAT System as a diagnostic
tool that doesnt replace the lab, but rather,
complements its efforts. Along with being
assured that lab-quality results will be delivered
on-time, the lab can maintain control over
everyone who has a hand in bedside testing:
nurses, ED staff, critical care, and ultimately, the
patient. And lab professionals can be perceived
as leaders for initiating process improvements
that provide benefits hospital-wide.

Getting buy-in of the i-STAT System

from lab decision-makers can
prove invaluable in opening doors
throughout the hospitals continuum
of care

KEY SELLING POINTS TO THE LAB

CENTRAL
LABORATORY
The hospitals central lab can be your greatest ally
or your greatest obstacle to gaining buy-in of the
i-STAT System. As gatekeepers of the hospitals
continuum of care, lab decision-makers could view
bedside testing as a valuable resource that could
help improve efficiencies, maintain quality; allowing
the lab staff to better do its job. Or they could see
the i-STAT System as a threat to their department in
terms of lost revenue, compromised quality and an
overall loss of control.

CLINICAL
Provides reliable, lab-quality results
Helps expedite patient care by accelerating
availability of critical test information
Improves guideline compliance
FINANCIAL

OPERATIONAL
Consolidates/standardizes point-of-care
(POC) testing needs throughout the hospitals
continuum of care
Eliminates multiple steps and unnecessary
handoffs that can negatively impact patient care
Guides operators through the testing process via
automated i-STAT analyzer

Helps reduce costs associated with in-patient

treatment and length of stay, and provides
a positive return on investment through
improved efficiencies

Has built-in features that provide transparent

quality assurance measures

Reduces test result TAT, which can reduce

door-to-disposition times1

Can easily integrate into all major LIS vendors

Accelerates patient care decisions, allowing

hospitals to treat patients sooner and improve
door-to-disposition times2

Reduces processing workload and frees lab staff

to focus on other tasks
Reduces pressure on the lab, freeing them to
focus on more complex, time-consuming tests

Reference
1. Jarvis PRE, Davies TM, Mitchel K, Taylor I, Baker M. Does rapid assessment shorten the amount of time patients spend in the
emergency department? British Journal of Hospital Medicine, November 2014, Vol 75, No 11
2. Ryan RJ, Lindsell CJ, Hollander JE, et al. A multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing central laboratory and point-of-care
cardiac marker testing strategies: The Disposition Impacted by Serial Point of Care Markers in Acute Coronary Syndromes (DISPOACS) Trial. Ann Emerg Med. 2008 Aug 6. (Epub ahead of print).

10 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

11

DEPARTMENT PROFILE | THE CENTRAL LAB

TYPICAL OBJECTIONS
Oversight

Quality

Status Quo

Our turnaround times We cant trust that

the i-STAT System
are fine the doctors
will be as reliable as
are happy with us.
traditional analyzers.

Well lose the revenue

from our testing
(dependent on
healthcare system).
Nursing doesnt have
the expertise to run
this theyll make
mistakes.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Overview
From a process perspective, the i-STAT System
can prove to be a valuable asset to the laboratory.
Traditionally, the central lab handles all of the
hospitals diagnostic tests, which can cause
blockages and slow down TAT of results. With the
i-STAT System, STAT testing can be handled in
the clinical departments, freeing up valuable lab
resources and enabling the lab staff to maintain its
routine and focus on more profitable testing.

The i-STAT System can help labs improve

efficiency through its ease of use and a
comprehensive menu that can expand
with the hospitals needs; by providing fast
turnaround times for cardiac markers and
blood gases when every minute counts; and
by minimizing the need for daily QC testing.

KEY CARTRIDGES

cTnI

BNP

PT/INR

CG4+

CG8+

EG7+

G3+

CHEM8+

-hCG

12 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

To learn more and for intended

use (CTI sheets), please visit
www.abbottpointofcare.com

Regulatory
The lab is has an
overall responsibility
for all pathology tests;
and we do not want
to manage the risk of
letting nurses do this
testing.

QUESTIONS TO ASK
Can you tell me your process for handling
STAT tests in the laboratory?
Can you tell me how the lab currently handles
STAT testing? How do you ensure the samples
are identified? Are STAT samples handled on a
separate instrument?
Do you have a service level agreement with the
clinical departments? What are your turn around
time goals for urgent and routine samples?
What process improvement initiatives
is your hospital/department undergoing?
What are the main challenges
of your department?
Do you have any staffing shortages?
If so, what is the impact on your department?
Have you calculated your cost per test
on your current analyzers? Can we compare
the i-STAT cost per cartridge for you?

13

Typically, the Adult Medical ICU is the most common ICU and the largest volume
consumer of POC tests. However, in smaller hospitals, there may only be one ICU for
all intensive care patients. ICUs suffer many of the same problems as other departments,
such as overcrowding, inefficiency of the blood analysis process, and improving patient
flow. Yet, they also have concerns unique to their specific areas, such as the high cost of
blood transfusions in the neonatal ICU, and meeting goal-directed therapy guidelines,
vent-weaning, and patient safety protocols. Many of these departments have access
to bench-top blood gas analysers already, but there are problems associated with these
systems, such as frequent downtime and maintenance requirements.

KEY i-STAT SELLING POINTS TO CRITICAL CARE

CLINICAL

Provides real time, lab-quality test results that

help speed diagnosis, treatment, and disposition
of patients2
Offers the most comprehensive platform of tests
available on a single platform for bedside testing:
Includes blood gases, electrolytes, chemistries,
and coagulation as well as TnI, CK-MB and BNP
Expanded range of information can help
better inform treatment decisions and level
of treatment prescribed
Provides test results in as little as 2 minutes,
to accelerate patient care decision-making
Offers real time results providing clinicians with
the right information at the right time in patients
who are often unstable and rapidly changing

CRITICAL CARE

(ICU/PICU/NICU)

Critical care departments include a wide

range of specialty areas that tend to many
of the hospitals most critically ill patients.
Still, while patients receiving medical care
in ICUs occupy only 10% of inpatient beds,
they account for nearly 30% of acute care
hospital costs1. Hospital administrators are
challenged daily to bring these costs down,
and the i-STAT System can help them
achieve their goals.
For further insight into selling into all areas of critical care, please refer to the Mapit Workbook:
Mapit Workbook 031787 Rev A 01/14

14 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

Blood volume
requirements
are decreased

FINANCIAL

Central Lab

i-STAT

Can reduce door-to-disposition and overall LOS

by reducing test turnaround times2
Improves financial outcomes by increasing
efficiencies in critical care units and throughout
the continuum of care4,5
No ongoing maintenance and service costs

OPERATIONAL

National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry

(NACB) laboratory medicine guidelines
for improved clinical outcomes in the ICU
recommend POC testing systems3
Designed for true portability to meet the
needs of patients in all critical care areas
Provides lab-quality results in minutes
Ready to use 24/7 with no downtime for
calibration or consumables
Helps meet protocols by accelerating
availability of critical lab tests for greater
control of patient management
Requires just two or three drops of blood to
perform tests, greatly reducing the need for
transfusions in neonates
Improves blood conservation in neonates
large volume of blood is required for lab tests,
and samples are often rejected from the lab
due to haemolysis or clotting problems
Can easily integrate into all major LIS vendors
Lab results are provided where the entire
patient care team is assembled

Reference:
1. Critical Care Statistics in the United States. Society of Critical Care
Medicine. 2006.
2. Ryan RJ, Lindsell CJ, Hollander JE, et al. A multicenter randomized
controlled trial comparing central laboratory and point-of-care cardiac
marker testing strategies: The Disposition Impacted by Serial Point of Care
Markers in Acute Coronary Syndromes (DISPOACS) Trial. Ann Emerg
Med. 2008 Aug 6. (Epub ahead of print).

3. In: Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines: Evidence-Based Practice

for Point-of-Care Testing. Washington (DC): National Academy of Clinical
Biochemistry (NACB); 2006:30-43.
4. Bailey TM, Topham TM, Wantz S, et al. Laboratory process improvement
through point-of-care testing. Jt Comm J Qual Improv. 1997;23:302-380.
5. Price CP. Point of care testing. BMJ. 2001;322:1285-1288.

15

DEPARTMENT PROFILE | CRITICAL CARE

TYPICAL OBJECTIONS

The i-STAT System is more

expensive than my bench
top blood gas machine.

We have a benchtop
system for our blood gas
testing.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Bench top blood gas systems require
frequent calibrations and maintenance,
which can cause delays in processing critical
samples. The i-STAT System is ready to use
24/7 and has no maintenance or calibration
requirements.

Situation
The impact of the i-STAT System in critical
care areas of NICU/PICU/ICU centre mainly
around solving inefficiencies of the blood
analysis process, along with blood conservation.
Its important to find out as much information
about the department processes as possible to
start building a financial and patient profile.

Ive heard that handheld

devices arent as accurate
as the benchtop system
we have for blood gas
measurement.

QUESTIONS TO ASK
What are the main challenges of your
department?
What tests do you typically run in your
department?
Can you tell me about your process in obtaining
critical lab tests and are there different process
steps for blood gases and chemistries?
What are some of the challenges that may
delay results?
What percentage of patients do you have on
assisted ventilation? Do you have targets to
reduce ventilation requirements?

KEY CARTRIDGES

CG8+

EG7+

CHEM8+

Is your facility or department involved in

any initiatives around blood conservation or
reduction of blood draws? Is there a committee
for blood conservation? Who heads the
committee and how often do they meet?
Do you have any staffing shortages? If so, what
is the impact on our department?

BNP

G3+

16 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

Quality

Cost

Status Quo
Our process is OK; the lab
turnaround time is pretty
good for the most part.

PT/INR

cTnI

To learn more and for intended

use (CTI sheets), please visit
www.abbottpointofcare.com

How would providing critical tests at the bedside

be help with the management of your neonates?
How would improving your current processes
with bedside POC testing affect you, your
department, and your patients?

17

TYPICAL OBJECTIONS
Status Quo
Our process is OK, we have a
bench top blood gas analyser.
Quality

I think Hemochron is the

gold standard for ACT
measurement because it has
been around for so long.
Cost

Ive heard that handheld

devices arent as accurate as
my bench top analyser.

CATH LAB

Situation
In the Cath Lab, its important that both
activated clotting time (ACT) and blood gas
results are readily available. Most Cath Labs are
already using POC technology for ACT testing,
and rely on three main vendors: Abbott Point
of Care, Medtronic, and Hemochron. As for
blood gases most cath labs will have a bench top
system, the main competitors are: Radiometer,
Roche, IL, and Siemens.

I have heard that ACT

measurements take longer
with the i-STAT System.

The i-STAT System is more

expensive than my bench top
blood gas machine.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

DEPARTMENT PROFILE | CRITICAL CARE

Operational

The i-STAT System can consolidate the

testing platform to provide all tests needed
in the Cath Lab. For ACT, the advanced
electrochemical technology of the
i-STAT System is known to provide better
reproducibility than the Medtronic and
Hemochron devices, which feature older
mechanical technology.1 In terms of blood
gases, the i-STAT System can help improve
efficiencies by reducing the number of
complex processing steps and improving
TAT. Bench top blood gas systems require
frequent calibrations and maintenance,
which can cause delays in processing critical
samples. The i-STAT System is ready to use
24/7 and has no maintenance or calibration
requirements. The i-STAT System can also
offer other valuable tests to the cath lab, such
as troponin (cTnI), BNP and CHEM8+.

QUESTIONS TO ASK
What are the main challenges of your department?
What tests do you typically run in your department?
What do you use for your ACT testing? What are
your likes/dislikes about that method?
Can you tell me about your process in obtaining
other critical tests, such as troponin (cTnI) or renal
profile? What are some of the challenges that may
delay results?
What are the goals and initiatives of your
department? Of the hospital?
What process improvement initiatives is your
hospital (department) undergoing?
Do you have any staffing shortages? If so, what is
the impact on your department?
How often is your bench top system unavailable
due to calibration or errors? What impact does
this have on your patient care?

KEY CARTRIDGES

ACTc

CHEM8+

ACTk

cTnI

G3+

BNP

To learn more and for intended

use (CTI sheets), please visit
www.abbottpointofcare.com

Reference:

18 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

1. Data on file.

19

TYPICAL OBJECTIONS

DEPARTMENT PROFILE | CRITICAL CARE

RESPIRATORY

Situation
From a process perspective, the i-STAT System
can be a tremendous help for the respiratory
technologists (RTs), dependent on healthcare
system particularly for those overseeing
arterial blood gas (ABG) testing.

We cant trust that the

i-STAT System will be as
reliable as our traditional
bench top analyzers.

Please note: Respiratory Therapists are not present

in every healthcare system. In some markets blood
gas analysis will be the responsibility of nurses or
other healthcare professionals on each department.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

The i-STAT System can help improve
efficiencies by reducing complex processing
steps and improving TAT for ABG testing.
RTs can work more efficiently by obtaining
ABGs right at the patients bedside, which
will allow them to better manage those on
ventilators. In the small volume areas of the
hospital, it can provide a significant cost
savings through its unit-use technology.

EG7+

Well lose the revenue from

our testing.

QUESTIONS TO ASK
Could you tell me about your process in
obtaining ABG results?
What testing do you typically provide to the
critical care areas?
What are the goals and initiatives of your
department? Of the hospital?
What process improvement initiatives is your
hospital (department) undergoing?
What are the main challenges of your
department?

KEY CARTRIDGES

CG8+

Oversight

Quality

Status Quo
Our turnaround times are
fine the doctors are happy
with us.

Do you have any staffing shortages? If so, what

is the impact on your department?
G3+

To learn more and for intended

use (CTI sheets), please visit
www.abbottpointofcare.com

Have you calculated your cost per test on your

current analyzers?
Can we compare the cost per i-STAT cartridge?
How many ABG analyzers do you have?
Where are they located? What are they?

Reference:

20 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

1. Data on file.

21

TYPICAL OBJECTIONS
Cost

Operational
My nurses are too busy to
take on something else.

SURGICAL SERVICES
Situation
Surgical Services includes a number of specialty
departments, including the cardiovascular operating
room (CVOR), general surgery, and neurosurgery.
Because of the delicate nature of surgery, real-time
test results are often critical, yet results from the
central lab can take over 60 minutes. Another, often
costly, challenge is surgical cancellations typically
because the patient wasnt medically cleared in
advance, such as those on anticoagulation therapy,
or those requiring renal function tests.
Most surgery departments have bench top systems for
blood gas analysis, but these are often shared between a
number of operating rooms, which can cause delays due
to calibration or being in use. This type of analysis, where
the operating room assistant has to leave the room to
perform tests can be costly, and can potentially increase
staffing requirements.

Status Quo

The i-STAT System is

too expensive.

QUESTIONS TO ASK

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

The i-STAT System can consolidate
the testing platform to provide most
tests needed for surgery. For ACT, the
advanced electrochemical technology
of the i-STAT System is known to provide
better reproducibility than the Medtronic
and Hemochron devices, which feature
older mechanical technology.1 In terms
of blood gases, the i-STAT System can
help improve efficiencies by reducing
the number of complex processing steps
and improving TAT. Bench top blood gas
systems require frequent calibrations and
maintenance, which can cause delays in
processing critical samples. The i-STAT
System is ready to use 24/7 and has no
maintenance or calibration requirements.

KEY CARTRIDGES
CG8+

EG7+

G3+

ACTc

CHEM8+

E3+

EC4+

PT/INR

Our process is OK, we have

a bench top system in our
department.

Could you tell me about your process in obtaining

lab results?
Do you ever have to delay or cancel elective
surgery because the blood results are not available?
What is the financial and operational impact of this?
What are the goals and initiatives of your
department? Of the hospital?
Would it help to have real time results for a
number of critical parameters without leaving the
operating room?
What are the main challenges of your department?
Do you have any staffing shortages? If so, what is
the impact on your department?
Do you have a stat lab? If yes, what are the costs
associated with having this stat lab? Is it staffed
and how often?
How often are you delayed by your bench top
system calibrating or being in use by another
operator?

CG4+

To learn more and for intended use

(CTI sheets), visit www.abbottpointofcare.com
Reference:

22 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

1. Data on file.

23

Fortunately, the i-STAT System can play a

key role in helping EDs alleviate problems
associated with overcrowding, bed
shortages and the diversion of ambulances.
By accelerating the availability of critical
diagnostic test information, the i-STAT System
can help improve patient flow, shorten door
to-disposition times, and reduce overall ED
length of stay.2, 3

KEY SELLING POINTS TO THE ED

CLINICAL

EMERGENCY
DEPARTMENT (ED)
EDs generally have three main operational goals:
1) Triage patients as quickly as possible;
2) Treat patients quickly and safely, and,
3) Enhance department efficiency and patient flow.
However, todays ED is an overburdened,
underfunded, and fragmented department where
resources are stretched to the maximum on a
daily basis.

Provides lab-quality test results within minutes,

which can help accelerate patient care
decision-making and speed time to treatment
when every minute counts
Offers the most comprehensive platform of tests
available on a single platform for bedside testing,
including troponin (cTnI), -hCG , BNP, blood
gases, electrolytes, chemistries, and coagulation
FINANCIAL

Improves patient flow, shortens door-todisposition times, and reduces overall ED length
of stay (LOS)1, 3

OPERATIONAL

Expedites patient triage by accelerating

the availability of critical diagnostic test
information3
Supports hospitals in maintaining compliance
with evidence-based guidelines to treat
patients sooner1 and optimize treatment
outcomes2
Streamlines the complexity of traditional lab
processing into an easy-to-use, four-step
testing process
Can easily integrate into all major LIS
vendors

Has demonstrated an improvement in door to

disposition decision by 41%3
Has demonstrated a 48% reduction in blood
processing costs4
Improves financial outcomes through increased
efficiencies in the ED and throughout the
hospital continuum of care4
Reference:
1. Ryan RJ, Lindsell CJ, Hollander JE, et al. A multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing central laboratory and point-of-care cardiac marker
testing strategies: The Disposition Impacted by Serial Point of Care Markers in Acute Coronary Syndromes (DISPO-ACS) Trial. Ann Emerg Med.
2008 Aug 6. (Epub ahead of print).
2. Ryan R, Lindsell C, Hollander J, et al. Disposition impacted by serial point of care markers in ACS (DISPO-ACS): a multicenter randomized
controlled trial comparing central laboratory and point-of-care marker testing strategies. Acad Emerg Med. 2007;14(5 suppl 1):S130-131.
3. Jarvis PRE, Davies TM, Mitchel K, Taylor I, Baker M. Does rapid assessment shorten the amount of time patients spend in the emergency
department? British Journal of Hospital Medicine, November 2014, Vol 75, No 11

24 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

4. Bailey TM, Topham TM, Wantz S, et al. Laboratory process improvement through point-of-care testing. Jt Comm Qual Improv. 1997;23:302-380.

25

DEPARTMENT PROFILE | ED

TYPICAL OBJECTIONS
Cost

Operational

The i-STAT System

is too expensive.

Logistical

My nurses are too busy to

take on something else.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

Bedside testing with the i-STAT System
provides real-time, lab-quality test
results6 that can help speed the diagnosis,
treatment, and disposition of patients.
The system delivers fast results using just a
few drops of blood to optimize productivity,
workflow, and ED throughput. And
because the i-STAT System offers the most
comprehensive menu of tests of any POC
testing system clinicians receive critical
test results where they need them, when
they need them.

The lab uses high sensitivity

troponin (cTnI).

QUESTIONS TO ASK
What are the main challenges of your
department?
What are your key performance metrics, and
how are you performing currently?
What process improvement initiatives is your
department undergoing now?
Tell me about your blood collection process
(from order to result)?
What are important features for you to have
in a POC system?
Can you describe for me your process for
obtaining cardiac marker results?
How do your TATs compare to 60 minutes
for cardiac markers?

Situation
EDs globally are facing unprecedented
challenges: overcrowding1, extensive
wait times, and operational demands.5
A key obstacle to timely patient treatment
and disposition is the long wait times for
diagnostic test results from the lab.

KEY CARTRIDGES

How would having cardiac marker results

in 10 minutes impact patient care, your
decision making, and patient flow?

cTnI

BNP

CHEM8+

PT/INR

CG4+

-hCG

Because diagnostic test results often drive

clinical decisions, how would having analytes
(such as glucose, sodium, potassium, BUN/
Crea, and H&H) results in minutes at the
bedside impact your decision making?

To learn more and for intended use

(CTI sheets), visit www.abbottpointofcare.com
Reference:
5. Hospitals on the Edge? The time for action. A report from the Royal College of Physicians 2012.
6. Apple FS, Murakami MM, Christenson RH, et al. Analytical performance of the i-STAT cardiac troponin I assay. Clin Chim Acta.
2004;345:123-127

26 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

27

TYPICAL OBJECTIONS

RADIOLOGY
Situation

Interventional radiology (IR) is a subspecialty of radiology

in which a range of conditions inside the body are treated
using minimally invasive procedures with radiologic
guidance. The advantages of contrast media in certain
CT scans, angiography and other imaging applications
are generally accepted.
As a result, millions of contrast medium-assisted radiological
examinations are conducted each year. However, these procedures
are not without risk of adverse events, including nephrotoxicity.
Creatinine measurements need to be taken first to evaluate and
monitor renal function. and glomerular filtration rates (GFR) are
calculated to screen for early signs of kidney damage.
In fact, renal failure due to the administration of contrast media is
reported to be the third most common cause of in-hospital renal
failure, after hypotension and surgery.1

My technicians are too busy

to take on something else.

Another danger in performing radiological investigations in women

of child bearing age is pregnancy status. Assessing pregnancy status
can cause delays in processing patients for investigations.

With the growing trend in the incidence

of contrast-induced nephropathy
creating demand for more creatinine
tests to calculate GFR the IR has many
applications where the i-STAT System
helps with real-time lab information.
Plus, the i-STAT System is the only POC
device to offer both creatinine and ACT
tests on one platform.
Errors or delays in pregnancy testing can
affect large numbers of patients.
Qualitative tests are fast but results are
limited, urine is not always attainable, and
tests are susceptible to false results2
Obtaining quantitative results from the
lab may take 6090 minutes or more.

KEY CARTRIDGES

CHEM8+

The i-STAT System is too

expensive.
We use urine pregnancy tests,
which are cheaper.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

CREA

Cost

Operational

Status Quo
Our process is OK; the lab
turnaround time is pretty
good for the most part.

ACTc

QUESTIONS TO ASK
What radiology procedures do you perform?
Could you tell me about your process in obtaining
kidney function test results?
What are the goals and initiatives of your
department? Of the hospital?
How do you assess pregnancy status in women of
child bearing age?
What would be the impact of performing radiological
investigations on a woman who was pregnant?
What are the main challenges of your department?
Do you have any staffing shortages? If so, what is the
impact on your department?
Have you ever had an issue with delaying a procedure
due to a delayed kidney function test result? How did
this impact your department?

-hCG

To learn more and for intended use

(CTI sheets), visit www.abbottpointofcare.com
Reference:
1. Briguori, C., Tavano, D., Colombo, A., Contrast Agent-Associated Nephrotoxicity. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 2003.
45(6): 493-503.
2. Gronowski AM, Cervinski M, Stenman UH, Woodworth A, Ashby L, Scott MG. False-negative results in point-of-care qualitative
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) devices due to excess hCGbeta core fragment. Clin Chem. 2009;55(7):1389-1394.

28 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

| 29

COMPETITORS AT A GLANCE

ANALYTE

Troponin (cTnI)

CK-MB

BNP

NT-pro BNP

Myoglobin

D-dimer

-hCG

Drugs of Abuse

CRP

10

ACT

11

PT/INR

12

aPTT

APOC

ALERE

RADIOMETER

SIEMENS

i-STAT

TRIAGE

AQT90

STRATUS CS

Not all products are available in all regions. Check with your local representative for availability in specific markets.
International Audiences: The i-STAT Total Beta human Chorionic Gonadotropin (-hCG) assay is an in vitro diagnostic test for
the qualitative and quantitative measurement of human chorionic gonadotropin in whole blood or plasma samples. -hCG can
be used for the detection of early pregnancy.
For US Audiences: The i-STAT Total Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (-hCG) test is an in vitro diagnostic test for the
quantitative and qualitative determination of -hCG in venous whole blood or plasma samples using the i-STAT 1 Analyzer
Systems. The test is intended to be used as an aid in the early detection of pregnancy and is for prescription use only.
For In Vitro Diagnostic Use Only.
For internal use only. Not for customer distribution.
i-STAT is a registered trademark of the Abbott Group of Companies in various jurisdictions.
For more information about intended use of specific cartridges listed, please see the CTI sheets at abbottpointofcare.com
The i-STAT cardiac troponin I (cTnI) test is an in vitro diagnostic test for the quantitative measurement of cardiac troponin I (cTnl)
in whole blood or plasma. Measuement of cardiac troponin I are used in the diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarction and
as an aid in the risk stratification of patients which acute coronary syndromes with respect to their relative risk of mortality.

30 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

ROCHE
COBAS h 232

COAGU CHEK

MITSUBISHI

SAMSUNG

ITC

PATH FAST

LAB GEOIB10

HEMOCHRON
JUNIOR

The i-STAT CK-MB test is an in vitro diagnostic test for the quantitative measurement of creatine kinase MB mass in whole blood
plasma samples. CK-MB measurments can be used as an aid in the diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarction (MI).
The i-STAT BNP test is an in vitro diagnostic test for the quantitative measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in
whole blood or plasma samples using EDTA as the anitcoagulant. BNP measruments can be used as an aid in the diagnosis and
assessment of the severity of congestive heart failure.
The i-STAT PT, a prothrombin time test, is useful for monitoring patients receiving oral anticoagulation therapy such as
Coumadin or warfarin. Coumadin is registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb.
The i-STAT Celite Activated Clotting Time test is an in vitro diagnostic test that uses fresh, whole blood, and is useful for
monitoring patients receiving heparin for treatment of pulmonary embolism or venous thrombosis, and for monitoring
anticoagulation therapy in patients undergoing medical procedures, such as catheterization, cardiac surgery, surgery, organ
transplant, and dialysis.
The i-STAT Kaolin Activated Clotting Time (Kaolin ACT) test is an in vitro diagnostic test that uses fresh, whole blood, and is used
to monitor high-dose heparin anticoagulation frequently associated with cardiovascular surgery.

| 31

COMPETITIVE COMPARISONS

ANALYTE

Blood Gases
(pH, pC02, pO2)

Electrolyte
(Na, K, iCa, CI)

Hematocrit (Hct)

Glucose (Glu)

Lactate

Total Billirubin

Urea Nitrogen
(BUN)/Urea

Creatinine (Crea)

Co-Oximetry

APOC

ALERE

i-STAT

epoc

IL
3000

4000

RADIOMETER
OPL

ABL 80

ABL 90

SIEMENS
ABL 800

RAPID
POINT
340

RAPID
POINT
350

RAPID
POINT
400

ROCHE
RAPID
POINT
405

COBAS
b 121

NOVA

COBAS b COBAS b
STAT
PROFILE
123
221
SENSOR
pHOx

For In Vitro Diagnostic Use Only

For internal use only. Not for customer distribution.
i-STAT is a registered trademark of the Abbott Group of Companies in various jurisdictions.
For more information about intended use of specific cartridges listed, please see the CTI sheets at abbottpointofcare.com.
The test for lactate, as part of the i-STAT System, is intended for use in the in vitro quantification of lactate in arterial, venous,
or capillary whole blood. The i-STAT lactate test is useful for (1) the diagnosis and treatment of acidosis in conjunction with
measurements of blood acid/base status, (2) monitoring tissue hypoxia and strenuous.

32 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

33

HANDLING OBJECTIONS
Following are some of the most common
objections O raised about the i-STAT
System and recommended responses R ,
depending on the situation.
O The i-STAT System is too expensive...
R The i-STAT System improves efficiency
by reducing steps in the blood analysis
process. This, in combination with
reduced turnaround times, improves
throughput in hospital departments
such as radiology and the ED which
could yield a significant revenue stream
for the hospital.
The i-STAT System helps improve
financial outcomes by improving patient
flow, shortening door-to-disposition
times, and reducing overall length of
stay.1,2
Critical Care departments may save
money with the i-STAT System due to
reduced manufacturer-recommended
QC, service, and maintenance
requirements.
O My lab uses high sensitivity troponin...
R Contemporary POC cTn assays like
i-STAT support accurate and rapid
diagnosis or rule out of AMI.
European guidelines state that POCT
troponin should be used when the
laboratory cannot consistently turn
around results within 60 minutes1
Rapid rule out protocols at 0 and 2 or 3
hours allow rapid triage of patients in a
busy ED department2
Using POC testing with process driven
change, EDs can advance treatment for
patients with chest pain
POC troponin testing can help EDs
deliver the right performance metrics.
34 | For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

O Nurses are too busy to run the

i-STAT System...
R Whether in the ED, ICU, or other patient
care area of the hospital, the i-STAT
System reduces the number of steps in
the traditional blood analysis process. This
yields process efficiencies that actually can
reduce the workload of nurses, allowing
them to concentrate more on the patient.3
The time-savings that result from using the
i-STAT System enables staff to focus more
on patients, enhancing both efficiency and
quality of care.
O We dont have the staff to maintain a large
point-of-care program...
R The i-STAT System features a
comprehensive menu of tests that allows
for the consolidation of POC platforms.
In addition, the open networking does
not require multiple people in multiple
areas. All data can be downloaded to one
location.
Use of the i-STAT System reduces the
processing workload and enhances the
value of the lab; theres less pressure on lab
technicians, freeing them to focus on more
complex, time-consuming tests.
O Point-of-care devices cannot provide
lab-quality results...
R The i-STAT System produces lab-quality
results, while being easy-to-use.

O We dont have any capital available to

purchase i-STAT System

assignment sheets that can be downloaded to

the handheld device

R There are a number of programs available

that would enable you to acquire the
i-STAT System, such as leasing and rentto-own programs.

Streamlines and simplifies the liquid

QC process

O How can the i-STAT help with blood

conservation when my bench top only
requires 65ul of blood...
R Radiometer do have a small sample size on
the ABL 90 of 65ul. However there is still a
requirement to take a minimum volume into
a capillary tube of at least 100ul, the same
volume required for i-STAT.
Other manufacturers require significantly
larger volumes for their blood gas systems
than Radiometer.
In addition the i-STAT can offer critical test
results for other parameters such as CHEM
8+, which typically require a sample size of
at least 500ul when being sent to the lab.
The i-STAT is able to perform this on 95ul.
Samples from neonates are commonly
hemolysed or clotted due to the viscosity
of neonatal blood. This can cause samples
to be rejected from the lab, and can cause
blockages in benchtop systems.
O How can I ensure that the quality is
maintained in line with the compliance
procedures for the lab...
R i-STAT Advanced quality Features (AQF)
offers strong support for distinct POC testing
challenges with quality control (QC) and
compliance solutions built into the system.

The i-STAT System guides operators

through the testing process with onscreen prompts and audible feedback.

Easy to implement, i-STAT AQF includes

solutions that can be customized to your
labs specific needs and situation.

Transparent quality assurance measures

are built in.

Liquid QC Pass/Fail Determination

Automate the process using electronic value

The i-STAT System features advanced

biosensor technology that ensures
accurate, lab-quality results.

Reduces the risk of manual errors

Liquid QC Scheduling and Lockout Ensures
QC is successfully completed on schedule
Prevents further patient testing if QC
is not completed on time
Enables the lab to maintain control over POC
testing regardless of who performs the testing
or where it is performed in the hospital
Facilitates compliance with regulatory
guidelines, reducing risk and the implications of
noncompliance.
Customizable Reportable Ranges Set upper
and lower measurement limits
Enables measurements to be set according
to specific policies and protocols, providing
greater control over i-STAT test reporting.
Operator Competency Notification
Inform operators via the handheld when their
recertification is due
Empowers operators to take ownership of
their POC testing.
Positive Patient Identification* Confirm patient
identification using ADT (Admission, discharge,
and transfer) data.
Displays patients name, date of birth, and
gender on the handheld
Supports compliance with The Joint
Commissions National Patient.
Safety Goal #1: improve accuracy of patient
identification competency
Frees the POC Coordinator from managing
operator competency schedules.
*Not available on all data management systems.

Reference:
1. Ryan RJ. Lindsell CJ Hollander JE, el al. A multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing central laboratory and point-of-care cardiac marker
testing strategies. The Disposition impacted by Serial Point of Care Markers in Acute Coronary Syndromes (DISPO-ACS) Trail. Ann Emerg Med.
2008 Aug 6. (Epub ahead of print).
2. Jarvis PRE, Davies TM, Mitchel K, Taylor I, Baker M. Does rapid assessment shorten the amount of time patients spend in the emergency
department? British Journal of Hospital Medicine, November 2014, Vol 75, No 11.
3. Novotny A. Chest pain screening area with a busy emergency department. Journal of Emergency Nursing. 2006 Aug 4.

35

For internal use only. Not for customer distribution

Condential property of Abbott.
Do not distribute or reproduce without express permission of Abbott.
The Abbott symbol and wordmark are registered trademarks of Abbott Laboratories.
All rights reserved.
Navigating the Hospital Brochure_Intl 038599 Rev A 03/15

ABBOTT LABORATORIES