Is your POC analyser choice fit for purpose?
Here are some questions that should be answered before you decide on analysers for your clinic:
Why / objectives / drivers?
- Upgrade or new
- New revenue
- Reduce reference laboratory costs
- Quality of care
- Turn-around times
What type of testing?
- Haematology vs biochemistry
- Species
- Panels
- Individual analyte testing ability
- Emergency / critical care / after hours
Operator and infrastructure
- Who
- How many people
- Multi-clinic approach
- Training
- Bench space
- Utilities
Cost of consumables?
- Cost analysis prior to POC selection
- Low running cost models / high consumable usage
- Panels vs. individual tests
Analyser expectations?
- Ease of use
- Repeatability
- Reliability
- Quality control
- Ability to interface
- Replacements
- Upgrades
- Future proof
- Life expectancy
Support?
- Technical support
- Maintain current laboratory relationships
- Access to local pathologists
- Consumable lead time / shelf life
- Try before you buy
Financials?
- Set up costs
- Understand contractual expectations
- Ownership vs. consumable contracts
- Return on investment
- Time / labour costs