DCA Vantage® Analyzer Microalbumin/Creatinine Sample Analysis Online Training

Welcome to the DCA Vantage® Analyzer Microalbumin/Creatinine Sample Analysis Online Training Course. This assay is intended for use in both screening and monitoring treatment of microalbuminuria. Microalbuminuria is an indicator of diabetic nephropathy. Testing for low concentrations of albumin in urine is recommended for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus as well as patients with non-insulin dependent mellitus.   In this course, you will learn about the materials and procedures required to perform Microalbumin/Creatinine sample analysis. Select Next to continue.   Identify the steps required to perform pre-sample handling Identify the steps required to perform sample handling Identify the steps to perform sample analysis Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: Select Next to continue. Congratulations. You have completed the DCA Vantage® Analyzer Microalbumin/Creatinine Sample Analysis Online Training Course. Listed below are the key points that have been presented.  Take time to review the material before you proceed to the final quiz. Identify the steps required to perform pre-sample handling The Microalbumin/Creatinine assay is a convenient quantitative method for measuring low concentrations of albumin, creatinine, and the albumin/creatinine ratio in urine. The materials required to analyze Microalbumin/Creatinine on the DCA Vantage® Analyzer include: DCA™ Microalbumin/Creatinine Reagent Kit Patient Sample Lint-free tissue All of the reagents for measuring albumin and creatinine are contained in the DCA Microalbumin/Creatinine Reagent Cartridge. Both the concentration of albumin and creatinine are measured in the reagent cartridge. The albumin and creatinine concentrations and the ratio are reported on the same display screen of the DCA Analyzer. Quality Control testing provides confidence that the reagent cartridges are reacting and being read correctly. It also can detect errors resulting from user techniques. Run Controls according to your laboratory's accrediting agency. Refer to your laboratory quality assurance program to ensure quality throughout the entire testing process. Identify the steps required to perform sample handling Remove and open the foil package of the Microalbumin/Creatinine Reagent Cartridge. Note: Do not use scissors to cut open the foil package. Scissors can damage the Reagent Cartridge, the flexible plastic pull-tab on the cartridge, or the desiccant bag. Upon removal from refrigerated storage, allow the Reagent Cartridge to warm up to room temperature for 15 minutes in the unopened pouch. To analyze a Microalbumin/Creatinine sample on the DCA Vantage system remove the foil wrapped Microalbumin/Creatinine Reagent Cartridge. To open the foil pouch, tear down from the corner notch until the entire long side of the pouch is open. After opening the foil pouch, the reagent cartridge must be used within 10 minutes. Remove the contents of the package and inspect. When handling the Reagent Cartridge, do not touch or otherwise contaminate the optical window or erroneous test results may occur. Discard the Reagent Cartridge if any of the following conditions exist: The cartridge is damaged The flexible pull-tab is loose or missing The desiccant bag is missing or open Loose desiccant particles are found inside the foil package The DCA System Microalbumin/Creatinine Reagent Kit contains the foil wrapped Reagent Cartridges and a plastic bag of Capillary Holders and Plungers. Unused capillary holders may be saved and used with any lot of DCA Systems Microalbumin/Creatinine reagent cartridges. Remove a capillary holder and a plunger from the plastic bag. Inspect the capillary holder. Inspect for the presence of the absorbent material, glass capillary, starch plug, and the plunger. If the capillary holder is missing the Glass Capillary, Starch Plug, Absorbent Material, Plunger or if the starch plug is at the bottom of the capillary tube discard the capillary holder. The Capillary tube may be filled with urine from a container with a large sample volume or small sample volume. The capillary holder requires 40 microliters to fill the capillary. Immerse the tip of the capillary tube in the urine sample Tilt the sample container to a slightly horizontal position to increase the rate of flow into the capillary Allow the urine specimen to flow into the capillary tube and come in contact with the starch plug Using a lint free tissue, carefully wipe the outside of the glass capillary tube Inspect the glass capillary tube for the presence of bubbles Wipe the outside of the glass capillary using a lint free tissue. Do not allow the tissue to touch the open end of the glass capillary.  Inspect the glass capillary sample for bubbles, if present discard the capillary and repeat the procedure. Insert the filled capillary into the reagent cartridge until it snaps into place. Locate the dot on the instrument next to the barcode track on the DCA System. Hold the reagent cartridge so that the barcode faces to the right. Quickly and smoothly, slide the reagent cartridge down. A beep sounds to signal a successful scan. Identify the steps to perform sample analysis The DCA Vantage™ Cartridge is designed to only fit one way into the Cartridge Compartment. Insert the reagent cartridge into the cartridge compartment with the barcode facing to the right. Push until a gentle 'snap' is heard or felt. Insert the plunger into the hole at the top of the capillary holder and depress the plunger into the capillary holder until it locks into place. Using a smooth, slow , continuous motion, pull the flexible pull-tab completely out of the reagent cartridge. Close the door and dispose of the flexible pull-tab. Approximately 5 seconds after the door is closed, a beep sounds and the assay begins. If you accidently close the door before pulling the flexible plastic tab you have 5 seconds to re-open the door and pull the tab. A test can be canceled at any time. To cancel a test, select Cancel. If a test is in progress and is cancelled, you must discard the sample. The Sample Data menu screen displays when the system detects the cartridge door closes and indicates that a test is in progress after the 5-second delay. Note: You can only enter data during the test if you have enabled and configured Data Entry.   To remove the Reagent Cartridge:   Open the Cartridge compartment door Locate the button on the right side of the Cartridge compartment. Push and hold it down with your right hand. With your left hand, gently push the tab on the Cartridge to the right. This action releases the cartridge. Pull the Reagent Cartridge out of the compartment. Close the system door. Discard the Cartridge in a proper container, according to your standard laboratory procedures. Select Next to continue.   The materials required to analyze Microalbumin/Creatinine on the DCA Vantage® Analyzer include: DCA™ System Microalbumin/Creatinine Reagent Kit Patient sample Lint-free tissue Note: Run Controls (DCA™ System Creatinine Control Kit) according to your facility's accrediting agency. Quality Control testing provides confidence that the reagent cartridges are reacting and being read correctly. It can also detect errors resulting from user techniques. Refer to your laboratory quality assurance program to ensure quality throughout the entire testing process.   Pre-Sample Handling Learn about the Microalbumin/Creatinine Reagent Cartridge. Slide NumberText BlocksCalloutsAudio ScriptImage File1Reagent Cartridges can be kept up to 90 days at room temperature anytime before the expiration date. Record the date on the carton that it was placed at room temperature. If cartridges have been kept in refrigerated storage, allow the Reagent Cartridge to warm up to room temperature for 10 minutes in the unopened pouch. Select Next to continue.Note: If audio does not automatically start, select the play arrow in the top left to begin.Reagent Cartridges can be kept up to 90 days at room temperature anytime before the expiration date. Record the date on the carton that it was placed at room temperature. If cartridges have been kept in refrigerated storage, allow the cartridge to warm up to room temperature for 15 minutes in the unopened pouch.2Open the foil wrapped Microalbumin/Creatinine Reagent Cartridge by tearing down from the corner notch until the entire long side of the pouch is open.Note: Do not use scissors to cut open the foil package. Scissors can damage the Reagent Cartridge, the flexible plastic pull-tab on the cartridge, or the desiccant bag.Select Next to continue.Starting at the corner notch, tear along the long side of the pouch. Scissors should not be used to open the foil package as they can damage the Reagent Cartridge, the flexible plastic pull-tab on the cartridge, or the desiccant bag.3Remove and inspect the contents from the foil package. Discard the cartridge if any of the following conditions exist: The cartridge is damaged The flexible pull-tab is loose or missing The desiccant bag is missing or open Loose desiccant particles are found inside the foil package The foil package is open for more than 10 minutes before useSelect Next to continue.Inspect the reagent cartridge and discard if any of the following conditions exist: the cartridge is damaged, the flexible pull-tab is loose or missing, the desiccant bag is missing or open, loose desiccant particles are found inside the foil package or the cartridge is not used within 10 minutes after foil package is opened.4When handling the Reagent Cartridge, do not touch or otherwise contaminate the optical window or erroneous test results may occur.When complete select the X in the upper-right corner to close the window and continue.When handling the Reagent Cartridge, be careful not to touch or otherwise contaminate the optical window or erroneous test results may occur. The DCA System™ Microalbumin/Creatinine Reagent kit contains: DCA™ System Microalbumin/Creatinine Reagent Cartridges Plastic bag filled with capillary holder and plungers Note: Wear personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, and gloves. Use Universal Precautions when working with biohazardous materials. Sample Handling Learn about the Capillary Holder and sample handling. Instructions:If media does not automatically start, select the play arrow to begin.Flash File:/content/generator/Course_90005752/sim_DCAV_MicroalbuminCreatinineSampleHandling_HTML5_800x600_9/sim_DCAV_MicroalbuminCreatinineSampleHandling_HTML5_800x600.swfHTML5 File:/content/generator/Course_90005752/sim_DCAV_MicroalbuminCreatinineSampleHandling_HTML5_800x600_9/index.htmlPDF File: Sample processing begins with inserting the reagent cartridge into the Cartridge Compartment. The Sample Data menu screen displays when the system detects the closing of the cartridge door. After a 5 second delay, the Sample Data screen indicates the test is in progress. Note: You can enter data during the test if you have enabled and configured Data Entry.   Microalbumin/Creatinine Sample Analysis Learn how to analyze a Microalbumin/Creatinine sample. Instructions:If media does not automatically start, select the play arrow to begin.Flash File:/content/generator/Course_90005752/sim_DCAV_MicroalbuminCreatinineSampleAnalysis_HTML5_800x600_9/sim_DCAV_MicroalbuminCreatinineSampleAnalysis_HTML5_800x600_9.swfHTML5 File:/content/generator/Course_90005752/sim_DCAV_MicroalbuminCreatinineSampleAnalysis_HTML5_800x600_9/index.htmlPDF File: Remove the Reagent Cartridge Learn how to remove the Reagent Cartridge. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentOpen DoorHTML Open the Cartridge compartment door. Select each checkbox to learn more about removing reagent cartridges.  Push Release ButtonHTML Locate the button on the right side of the Cartridge compartment.   Press TabHTML With your left hand, gently push the tab to the right to release the Reagent Cartridge.   Remove Reagent CartridgeHTML Pull the Reagent Cartridge out of the compartment.   Close DoorHTML Close the system door and discard the Reagent Cartridge according to your standard laboratory procedures. When complete, select the X in the upper-right corner to close the window and continue.