Point-of-care technology: The i-STAT system for bedside blood analysis

Abstract

T HE i-STAT PORTABLE blood analyzing system (Princeton, N J) is a small, portable, hand-held device that performs a panel of blood tests in 90 seconds on two to three drops of whole blood (Fini, 1994). This technological innovation, which combines silicon chip manufacturing with classical electrochemistry, facilitates the instantaneous reporting of critical laboratory parameters. Blood analysis for sodium, potassium, chloride, ionized calcium, urea nitrogen, glucose, hematocrit, and blood gases are readily available with the current technology. Serum bilirubin soon will be added to the menu. The testing can be performed by physicians, nurses, or other trained assistive personnel and is performed at the bedside, eliminating the costs associated with transporting specimens to a remote central laboratory. This technology has been successfully applied in a variety of clinical settings that include high-acuity patients requiring rapid stabilization and management. These settings include but are not limited to the neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit, PICU, postanesthesia, critical care unit, emergency, dialysis, and outpatient settings. The use of this system on transport also could further expedite early recognition and treatment of acid base,