Art: 714376-00M Rev. Date: 31-Jan-12 14-17CHECKING THE THERMAL PROBES IN THE i-STAT ANALYZERSVerification forHandheld AnalyzersVerify the thermal probe check for the i-STAT Portable Clinical Analyzer andi-STAT 1 Analyzer as follows:• External Electronic Simulator used routinely and results transmittedto a Central Data Station Version 4: On the CDS, click on System,then on Simulator Results. Look under the Delta column. Checkthat there is a value equal to or less than 0.1 (≤ 0.1) listed for eachanalyzer in use in the last 30 days. A value of “--.--” indicates thatthe conditions to complete the thermal probe check were not met.Use the procedure below to check any analyzer that does not have anumeric value listed.• External Electronic Simulator used routinely and results transmittedto a Central Data Station Version 5: On the CDS, click on DataViewer, then on Simulator. Look under the Probe Delta column.Check that there is a value equal to or less than 0.1 (≤ 0.1) listed foreach analyzer in use in the last 30 days. A value of “--.--” indicatesthat the conditions to complete the thermal probe check were notmet. Use the procedure below to check any analyzer that does nothave a numeric value listed.• External Electronic Simulator used routinely, results not transmittedto a Central Data Station: Use the procedure below to check thethermal probes on each analyzer every six months.• Internal Electronic Simulator used routinely: Use the procedurebelow to check the thermal probes on each analyzer twice a year.Procedure forHandheld AnalyzersCheck the thermal probes on the i-STAT Portable Clinical Analyzer and i-STAT 1Analyzer as follows:1. If the analyzer and simulator have been stored separately in areaswhere the ambient temperature differs by more than 3°C (5°F), allowthe simulator and analyzer to stand in the same place, out of drafts,for 30 minutes before inserting the simulator into the analyzer.Handle the simulator as little as possible to maintain its thermaluniformity and stability.2. Insert the simulator into the analyzer.3. When results are displayed, the difference between the thermalprobes can be viewed on the analyzer’s screen:• Portable Clinical Analyzer: while holding down the DIS key, pressthe 1 key.• i-STAT 1 Analyzer: press the period key.4. Interpretation of the thermal probe check value:• Acceptable: a value equal to or less than 0.1 (≤ 0.1)• Not acceptable: a FAIL message with a “t” Quality Check Code ora value greater than 0.1. Repeat the procedure to confirm results.Contact your Technical Support representative if the repeat thermalcheck value is greater than 0.1.• Repeat the procedure: if “--.--” is displayed. Take care to handlethe simulator a little as possible. It may help to partially insert thesimulator into the analyzer and let it stand for 15 minutes beforeinserting all the way.
