school report - inr home testing monitors

[Christine]

hello to all.. I am currently taking a report writing class as part of my degree program.. my final paper (due on the 22nd) is a recommendation report.. I have chosen to compare the different INR home testers currently available. I do plan on contacting QAS and some others for technical descriptions and information.. however I would like to pull your opinions into my report.. I don't have all my criteria yet identified as a point of comparison - but any info you care to share ie: type of machine, ease of use, your overall opinion of it, would be helpful.. I need to pull from 5 resources plus a graph.. hoping to graph my criteria's results.. I may set up a "poll" a 1-5, 1 being lowest type of questionaire down the road.

thanks for your time.. it is greatly appreciated.

Chris

[Dennis S]

I have the InRatio, and nothing to compare it with. If you check some prior threads it seems that most people believe it to register .6 higher than it should. I find that very disconserting, and would love to have a definitive answer. There is a big difference in my peace of mind between a 1.6 and a 2.2 reading.

[JeanneImp]

I have the InRatio, and nothing to compare it with. If you check some prior threads it seems that most people believe it to register .6 higher than it should. I find that very disconserting, and would love to have a definitive answer. There is a big difference in my peace of mind between a 1.6 and a 2.2 reading.


On Friday, Matt's test at the hospital was 2.1 His INR taken at the same time was 2.5

[Ross]

I have the InRatio, and nothing to compare it with. If you check some prior threads it seems that most people believe it to register .6 higher than it should. I find that very disconserting, and would love to have a definitive answer. There is a big difference in my peace of mind between a 1.6 and a 2.2 reading.
Dennis I talked with a person at Hemosense about this. Not everyone sees what I have with mine. With that in mind, it depends on what the lab is using as a reagent as to what the difference is between the machine and their result. Alaska tested hers against a coaguchek and was only .3 different which is nothing. If they'd of tested again, chances are the readings would have been vice versa.

[Ross]

Here Christine, a little bit of cheating never hurt right?

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6457&highlight=INRatio

[Christine]

OMG Ross... thank you so much.. this class has been driving me insane.. along with everyone around me.. but i'll give you credit as a cite doc reference.. as this is the point of this flippin class.. learn how to write for business with out pladgerizing (SP?) my sources..

you're the man!.. thanks again

Chris

[Blanche]

This is not cheating...it is taking advantage of resources that are already available. Ross might be considered an authority on the topic. If not an authority, it is at least ancedotal information which, when cited is accepted as resource material. Afterall, the "doing" of this type of research is in the evaluating of the sources, materials, and experts, and users of the anticoag monitors.

If you will post the kinds of materials that you are wanting, I might be helpful and others here could be also. Sure would be interested in a copy of your final report.

Kind regards,
Blanche

[LUVMyBirman]

I was told by a training nurse (for Roche) maker of the Coaguchek....that the difference between the lab and your home tester should not be more than .2 diff. So far...seven years of tests. Right on the marker. Couguchek is no longer avaiable to patients in the US I hear. If my unit ever bogs out....would go to great lenghts to replace it with another Coaguchek!

[Christine]

thanks... will definately post my final report.. i'll be working on it tonite.. will post some key criteria hopefully then..

i s/w qas this morning.. just a fyi - while coagucheck is currently off the market for home use, they are working on another coagcheck model for the home consumer.. no dates as to when it will be available..

thanks
Chris

[Karlynn]

I'm still unsure of the accuracy of the INRatio, compared to my ProTime, but I've found my INRatio to be incredibly faster to use. It takes less blood and I have yet to have an error reading for a test. My ProTime took a much more concerted effort to get enough blood and I would, quite frequently have to do 2 or 3 (and a few times 4) tests before not receiving an error reading - usually an air bubble error.

The INRation uses AA batteries and you can get an optional wall charger. The ProTime has a built in rechargeable battery and comes with a wall charger. The battery issue was the reason I went to the INRatio. Oh, and the size factor for portability and weight.

[Old clicker]

I have nothing to offer, but I would sure be interested in reading you're report.

[Ross]

thanks... will definately post my final report.. i'll be working on it tonite.. will post some key criteria hopefully then..

i s/w qas this morning.. just a fyi - while coagucheck is currently off the market for home use, they are working on another coagcheck model for the home consumer.. no dates as to when it will be available..

thanks
Chris
The Coaguchek XS is available overseas now, just not here in the U.S. Go figure!

[RCB]

OMG Ross... thank you so much.. this class has been driving me insane.. along with everyone around me.. but i'll give you credit as a cite doc reference.. as this is the point of this flippin class.. learn how to write for business with out pladgerizing (SP?) my sources..

you're the man!.. thanks again

Chris

Chris,
Remember as long as you cite the source, it is never plagiarizing.

And Ross is Da MAN!:D

[Alaska]

Hi. Good luck with your paper! I have the INRatio. I took it in to the dr's office last week (right after I got it) & compared it to the Coagucheck the dr has. Mine was .3 higher.

I took it in again today and did another comparison - again .3 higher! At least it is consistent.

I find it extremely easy to use and love how it provides valuable information.

[Alaska]

Oh, and another plus to the INRatio is that the strips do not have to be kept in the fridge! That was the deciding factor for me as I want to travel with it :)