CardioChek PA User manual

INSTALL
MEMO-CHIP
RUN TEST MEMORY UTILITY SETTINGS
This section is
concerned
with running
client blood
tests
This section is
used to
recall
previous
results
This section is
used to
conduct the
OPTICS
CHECK
This section is
used to
adjust time,
date & units
INSERT STRIP
APPLY
TESTING
CHEM
CONTROL
EXIT
CHECK STRIP
RUN
CLEAR
MEMORY
PRINT
SOUND
SET TIME
EXIT
SET DATE
UNITS
EXIT
Using the CardioChek®PA Analyser
The Navigation Menu





Use this selection to undertake an OPTICS CHECK
at the beginning of every day when you plan to
conduct tests.
Use this selection to CONDUCT CLIENT BLOOD TESTS. When you have
inserted a strip, the display will automatically change to APPLY SAMPLE.
Once the sample is applied, the display will change to TESTING.
Use this selection to RECALL client results. Useful if the analyser switches
off during the health check or you need to refer back to previous tests.
The previous 30 test results are stores by date and time.
RESULTS
2½ mins
Quick Guide

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Quick Guide
• Turn CardioChek unit on by pressing or the next button, the unit will display
install memo chip. Do not insert the Memo chip at this stage.
• Press the “Next” button three times and the unit will display utility.
• Press “Enter” button and the unit will display check strip.
• Insert the grey optics check strip with strip guides facing upwards, as shown, and press
the “Enter” button.
• The unit will conduct test and display passed. The unit has
passed the optics check strip test. Remove the check strip
and store safely.
• Press the “Next” button until you see the word exit and
then press the “Enter” button.
• This takes you back to the main menu. Press THE “Next”
button until you see the word run test.Now put your
memo chip in and use the machine for testing.
What happens if the check strip fails?
If when conducting an optics check, the unit displays failed inspect the check strip and
make sure the strip is not dirty or damaged. Clean the CardioChek optical window with a
soft, lint-free, damp cloth and allow to dry, then test again with the second grey optics
check strip supplied with your unit. Further strips can be purchased from Health Diagnostics.
These are classed as a consumable item and should be replaced every 6 months or before
depending on the level of usage.
If the unit fails again, please email [e-mail]
Conducting an optics check test - CardioChek
Side 1 of 1
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
When inserting and removing the optics check strip and any of the test strips you must keep them as
flat as possible and DO NOT INSERT AT AN ANGLE. Failure to follow this procedure may result in damage
to the plastic locators on either side of the optical window

Quick Guide
Side 1 of 1
CardioChek error messages and what they mean
LOW TEMP
Device is below acceptable operating temperature.
Move to warmer environment and test after device reaches optimal temperature
(20 –27 °C). If the strips are stored in same location as unit, the strips will also need
to be brought to the same temperature. Do not place unit or strips on a direct
heat source, e.g. radiator
FAILED
Displayed
during optics
check test
The analyser may need cleaning or the optics check strip is dirty or damaged.
Wipe the optics strip, clean analyser slot with a clean, damp, lint-free cloth. Use
your alternate optics check strip. If check strip still fails call Health Diagnostics.
TEST ERROR
Insufficient sample has been added to test strip.
Test again with a new test strip and make sure the correct volume of sample is
used. Check you are using the correct size pipette for the strip being used. Fill to
the line, with no air bubbles present.
MEMO CHIP
ERROR
Memo chip is defective. Use another Memo chip from the same lot.
TEST
ABORTED
Test strip was not properly inserted or was removed before test was complete.
Test again with fresh test strip.
INSTALL MEMO
CHIP
Memo chip is not properly inserted or is defective. Remove memo chip and insert
again. If same error, try a new memo chip ensuring it has the same code as the
strips to be used.
EXPIRED LOT
Tests strips are expired, wrong memo chip is inserted or the date is not set
correctly. Check test strip expiry date and make sure correct memo chip
inserted. Check date setting on CardioChek analyser.
REPLACE
BATTERIES
Batteries need to be replaced. Replace both batteries with new high quality AAA
batteries. (The analyser will not run tests until batteries are replaced).
Result reads
< (less than)
Result is below the measuring range of the test. If the patient has symptoms call a
healthcare professional immediately. Repeat the test. Run controls and confirm
controls are in range.
Result reads
> (greater than)
Result is above the measuring range of the test. If the patient has symptoms call a
healthcare professional immediately. Repeat the test. Run controls and confirm
controls are in range.
If you experience any difficulties that you have trouble rectifying yourself, please
contact our support team on: [e-mail].
Quick Guide
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www.healthdiagnostics.co.uk

Quick Guide
Preparing to test
Remember to:
• Put gloves on.
• Have cotton swab or tissue ready.
• Prepare lancet - single usage, protective cover removed.
• Prepare 1 x 40µL plastic pipette (or 40µL heparin tube and plunger).
• Prepare a plaster for puncture wound (hypoallergenic).
• Orange memo chip for test to be conducted and checked against the batch to
ensure they are within date.
• CardioChek analyser, switched on and optics checked (grey strip).
• Have clinical waste sack within easy reach.
• Have sharps bin within easy reach.
• Finally take out orange and black test strip, not more than 2 minutes before
applying sample.
Conducting a TC/HDL/Glucose test
Side 1 of 2

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Conducting a TC/HDL/Glucose test
When conducting a combined TC/HDL/Glucose test you must not use the first droplet of
blood. Wipe the first droplet of blood away with a cotton swab or tissue. Gently massage the
finger to obtain the second droplet of blood, sufficient to fill a 40µL pipette. You must not press
around the puncture wound as this will alter the composition of the sample.
• Ensure you have the Orange memo chip in the machine and
Orange & Black test strip is inserted in the unit.
• Use a new disposable lancet to puncture skin (see finger stick
technique fact sheet for full instructions on how to obtain a blood
sample).
• Gently massage the finger and ensure you get a large droplet of blood before
drawing the blood into the pipette/tube.
• Place the 40µL pipette/tube into the droplet and fill to the line. The blood is drawn up
automatically by capillary action. Fill quickly, without air pockets.
• To express the blood out of the pipette/tube, squeeze the bulb on the plastic
capillary pipette or push the black plunger down if using glass tubes with plungers,
ensuring all of the blood is pipetted onto the strip.
• Press the button to RUN THE TEST. The test takes approximately 2½ minutes and
then the results are displayed.
Once the test has completed the machine will beep. The results will appear in the
following order, Total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, Glucose, and finally the TC/HDL Ratio.
To scroll through results press the button, making a note of each result as it appears.
REMEMBER...
• CONDUCT AN OPTICS CHECK AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH DAY BEFORE USING THE ANALYSER.
• MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT STRIP.
• DON’TFORGET TO WIPE AWAY THE FIRST DROPLET OF BLOOD.
• WAIT FOR THE NEXT DROPLET TO FORM BEFORE PIPETTING -YOU WANT TO FILL THE TUBE QUICKLY, NOT A
LITTLE AT ATIME, IN ORDER TO AVOID AIR POCKETS AND UNDER FILLING THE TUBE.
• IF YOU DON’TAPPLY ENOUGH BLOOD TO THE TEST STRIP THE TEST WILL BE VOID, SO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE
NOT COLLECTED ENOUGH, BEFORE APPLYING TO THE TEST STRIP, WIPE THE WOUND AGAIN, TAKE ANEW
PIPETTE, AND TAKE ANEW SAMPLE.
Side 2 of 2

Quick Guide
Preparing to test
Remember to:
• Put gloves on.
• Have cotton swab or tissue ready.
• Prepare lancet—single usage, protective cover removed.
• Prepare 1 x 30µL plastic pipette (or 30µL heparin tube and plunger).
• Prepare plaster for puncture wound (hypoallergenic).
• Green memo chip for test to be conducted and checked against the batch to
ensure they are within date.
• Cholesterol analyser, switched on and optics checked (grey strip).
• Have clinical waste sack within easy reach.
• Have sharps bin within easy reach.
• Finally take out a green test strip, not more than 2 minutes before applying sample.
Conducting a TC/HDL test
Side 1 of 2

Conducting a TC/HDL test
When conducting a combined TC/HDL test you must not use the first droplet of blood. Wipe
the first droplet of blood away with a cotton swab or tissue. Gently massage the finger to
obtain the second droplet of blood, sufficient to fill a 30µL heparin tube. You must not press
around the puncture wound as this will alter the composition of the sample.
• Ensure you have the Green memo chip in the machine and Green
test strip is inserted in the analyser.
• Use a new disposable lancet to puncture skin (see finger stick
technique fact sheet for full instructions on how to obtain blood
sample).
• Gently massage the finger and ensure you get a large droplet of blood before
drawing the blood into the pipette/tube.
• Place the 30µL pipette/tube into the droplet and fill to the line. The blood is drawn up
automatically by capillary action. Fill quickly, without air pockets.
• To express the blood out of the pipette/tube, squeeze the bulb on the plastic
capillary pipette or push the black plunger down if using glass tubes with plungers,
ensuring all of the blood is pipetted onto the strip.
• Press the button to RUN THE TEST. The test takes approximately 2½ minutes and
then the results are displayed.
Once the test has completed the machine will beep. The results will appear in the
following order, Total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol and finally the TC/HDL Ratio. To scroll
through results press the button, making a note of each result as it appears.
REMEMBER...
• CONDUCT AN OPTICS CHECK AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH DAY BEFORE USING THE ANALYSER.
• MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT STRIP.
• DON’TFORGET TO WIPE AWAY THE FIRST DROPLET OF BLOOD.
• WAIT FOR THE NEXT DROPLET TO FORM BEFORE PIPETTING -YOU WANT TO FILL THE TUBE QUICKLY, NOT A
LITTLE AT ATIME, IN ORDER TO AVOID AIR POCKETS AND UNDER FILLING THE PIPETTE.
• IF YOU DON’TAPPLY ENOUGH BLOOD TO THE TEST STRIP THE TEST WILL BE VOID, SO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE
NOT COLLECTED ENOUGH, BEFORE APPLYING TO THE TEST STRIP, WIPE THE WOUND AGAIN, TAKE ANEW
PIPETTE, AND TAKE ANEW SAMPLE.
Side 2 of 2
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Quick Guide
Check the test strips and the memo chip match for each test to be
conducted. Check the strips have not expired (date and code on the side of
the tube)
Prepare for the test by setting out
1. Correct size pipettes for the strips being use
• 15µL pipettes for single test strips (cholesterol only or, glucose only)
• 30µL pipettes for dual combined strips (TC/HDL and TC/GLU)
• 40µL pipettes for triple combined strips (TC/HDL/GLU)
2. Test strip and memo chip (check expiry dates)
3. Lancet, swab and plaster
Procedure
1) Choose the index finger on the non-dominant hand.
2) Ensure finger is clean, wipe with dry cotton swab/tissue. If finger is dirty ask
patient to wash hands.
3) Twist off the protective cover on the lancet (do not pull, the grey plastic
shield will come away).
4) Press the lancet firmly against the finger and fire the lancet. Do not lift the
lancet away until it has fired properly.
5) Dispose of the lancet immediately in the appropriate clinical waste
container.
6) Wait for the first droplet to form. It may take a few seconds so be patient.
This first droplet must be wiped away.
7) Gently massage the finger from the base upwards, avoiding applying
pressure to the site around the finger prick.
8) Hold the finger applying even pressure along the length of the client’s
finger as the droplet forms.
9) Hold the pipette between two fingers ensuring you don’t squeeze the
pipette bulb when using the plastic pipettes and don’t cover the hole
near the fill line.
10) Place the end of the pipette into the droplet. Avoid touching the skin
especially avoid scraping it along the skin, in an attempt to scoop up
blood. Capillary action will automatically draw the blood up the tube.
You must fill to the line.
Side 1 of 2
TIP If the finger appears to have stopped bleeding, wipe the finger firmly with a
cotton swab or tissue and re-apply an even pressure.
Conducting a finger stick test

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Conducting a finger stick test
11) Once you have filled the pipette, ask the client to press the swab firmly against their puncture
wound whilst you finish testing.
12) Position the filled pipette over the ‘well’ on the test strip and squeeze the pipette bulb to dispense
the sample into the ‘well’.
13) If the blood doesn’t come out, place a finger gently over the small hole, which is located on one
side of the pipette in line with the fill line, and then squeeze the bulb of the pipette. Blocking off this
hole ensures the pipette is emptied fully. Dispose of the pipette in the appropriate waste sack/bin.
14) Take the strip out of the analyser and turn it over to check that there has been a reaction for each
analyte. One or more circles on the underside of the strip will have turned a shade of blue
(depending on the test strip). If you have a test error, check if there are any white patches within
any of the coloured circles, as this indicates that the reaction was not complete. This could be due
to under fill or the blood sample being left in the pipette too long before dispensing.
15) Offer a plaster for the client’s finger if necessary - ask if they are allergic to plasters.
16) Write down the results once the test is complete - this takes approximately 2½ minutes.
17) Dispose of all clinical waste appropriately.
•
REMEMBER THESE TIPS...
• DON’TFORGET TO SWITCH THE MACHINE ON.
• CONDUCT AN OPTICS CHECK AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH DAY BEFORE USING THE ANALYSER.
• MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT STRIP AND MEMO CHIP IN PLACE BEFORE CONDUCTING THE TEST.
• DON’TFORGET TO WIPE AWAY THE FIRST DROPLET OF BLOOD.
• WAIT FOR THE NEXT DROPLET TO FORM BEFORE PIPETTING (YOU WANT TO FILL THE TUBE QUICKLY, NOT ALITTLE
AT ATIME, IN ORDER TO AVOID AIR POCKETS AND UNDER FILLING THE PIPETTE.
• IFTHE BLOOD DOES NOT COME OUT AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOU GENTLY SQUEEZE THE BULB OF THE PIPETTE,
DO NOT RELEASE THE PRESSURE BUT PUT YOUR FINGER OVER THE HOLE ON THE FILLING LINE AND CONTINUE TO
SQUEEZE THE BULB.
• IFYOU DON’TAPPLY ENOUGH BLOOD TO THE STRIPS THE TEST WILL BE VOID, SO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE NOT
COLLECTED ENOUGH, BEFORE APPLYING TO THE TEST STRIP, WIPE THE WOUND AGAIN AND TAKE ANEW PIPETTE
AND TAKE ANEW SAMPLE.
• CLEAN THE AREA BELOW THE TEST STRIP REGULARLY WITH ALINT FREE CLOTH.
Side 2 of 2

Quick Guide
Side 2 of 2
It is important to eliminate as many of the operator and storage issues as possible before
carrying out any test.
The environment
• The unit and strips need to be at ambient room temperature (no less than 20°C), to
enable accurate readings. If the temperature in the consulting room is too low, the results
will be lower than expected. Do not try to accelerate the warming-up of the analyser or
strips by putting on a direct heat source like a radiator. The strips will take longer than the
unit to be at the correct temperature.
• The manufacturer states that ‘direct light’ may adversely affect test results. Avoid storing
or using the analyser in direct light, such as sunlight, spotlight, under a lamp or by a
window.
The analyser
• The unit must be optics checked using the grey strip
supplied. At the beginning of the day, when in use.
• The glass analyser panel, where the red lights are, must be
kept clean and scratch free at all times. Clean with an
alcohol swab and dry with a lint free cloth. Ensure there
are no smears on the glass.
• Batteries should be changed regularly (every 200 tests) or
when indicated to do so by the unit.
Storage
• All strips should be kept in the plastic tubes with the silica bag and with the lid fully closed
at all times to maintain the correct storage conditions. Atmospheric moisture will
compromise the strips.
• Avoid extremes of hot and cold temperatures as this can seriously affect the chemistry on
the strips.
• Once the strips have been opened they should be stored carefully and ideally be used
within 3 –6 months. The strips contain sensitive chemicals and they can degrade over
time.
• Avoid removal of the strips too prematurely. Only remove the strip just prior to collecting
blood sample.
• Do not store memo chip in the tube with the strips as this may cause contamination of
strips and damage to the chip.
CardioChek Accuracy Tips
Side 1 of 2
Glass analyser
panel