A-357 Performance of Blood Urea Nitrogen on the epoc Analyzer

Abstract

Abstract Background The epoc Blood Analysis System (Siemens, Tarrytown, NY) performs blood gases, electrolytes, and metabolites using a Blood Gas Electrolyte and Metabolite (BGEM) Test Card panel on 92 uL of whole blood. The BGEM Test Card uses potentiometric sensors to measure sodium, potassium, chloride, ionized calcium, pH, pCO2; amperometric sensors to measure pO2, glucose, creatinine, and lactate; and a conductometric sensor to measure hematocrit. Results are available in 3–10 minutes, depending upon the time of sample injection. TJUH implemented the epoc in its ICUs in 2012 to provide rapid, whole blood Point of Care (POC) results, then expanded to other locations (Emergency Department, Outpatient Radiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery). Siemens recently added a potentiometric sensor for measurement of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) to its BGEM card. We evaluated this card for possible future use. Methods Precision and method comparison studies were performed at our Center City location. Inter- and intra-precision studies were performed on two levels of controls (Eurotrol, Elizabethtown, KY). Remnant whole blood was collected from 30 patients. Comparison studies were performed on the Piccolo Xpress (Abbott, Princeton, NJ), which provides a whole blood BUN measurement using a coupled-enzyme reaction. Results Intra-assay precision for epoc BUN (n = 20, 2 devices) was 2.8%CV and 6.5%CV for Levels 1 and 3, respectively. Inter-assay precision for epoc BUN (n = 20, 2 devices over 10 days) was 2.4%CV and 7.1%CV for Levels 1 and 3, respectively. Method comparison for BUN (n = 30) was: mean = 42, median = 29, r2 = 0.9889, y = 0.8840x-3.6416. Conclusion The epoc BUN studies showed comparable results when compared to the Piccolo Xpress. Previous studies showed good correlation between whole blood on the Piccolo Xpress and plasma on the Roche Cobas c702 which is also a coupled-enzyme reaction; therefore the test is considered acceptable for implementation at our Center City sites where epoc is currently in use.