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DCA Vantage® Analyzer HbA1C Sample Analysis Online Training

Perform proper pre-analytical techniques and analyze whole blood samples for HbA1c.

Body Mass Index has become a standard anthropometric measure for determining nutritional status.  As you can see by the calculation, BMI is based on the patient’s height and weight or mass and is a fairly simple calculation.  The index is based on the metric units of meters and kilograms, so conversion factors are needed to use inches and pounds. A healthy BMI is typically in the range of about 19 to 27 kilograms per square meter.  A BMI less than 19 is a sign of under-nourishment.  A BMI of more than 27 is associated with over-nourishment and obesity.  Both low and high BMI values are associated with increased risk.  Let’s look at this in more detail.   Welcome to the DCA Vantage® Analyzer Hemoglobin A1c Sample Analysis Online Training course. The DCA Vantage® Analyzer is designed to quantitatively measure the percent of Hemoglobin A1c in blood. Analysis of Hemoglobin A1c in blood is recommended for monitoring of persons with diabetes. The system requires 1μL of whole blood for HbA1c testing and provides results in 6 minutes. Select Next to continue.   Identify the steps to perform pre-sample handling Identify the steps to perform sample analysis Identify the steps to perform sample handling Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: Select Next to continue. One of the challenges in interpreting nutritional biomarker results is that all the commonly used biomarkers are visceral proteins, as we have noted previously, and their concentrations are affected by pathology other than malnutrition. These biomarkers are produced in the liver, so liver disease can cause reductions in circulating concentrations even without malnutrition. The liver disease must be quite severe, however, before most biomarker proteins are affected. Renal disease often causes decreased circulating concentrations of these biomarker proteins because, although they are normally retained by the kidney, renal disease causes their loss in the urine. Dehydration causes elevated concentrations of the biomarker proteins. Inflammation can be a significant factor since the nutritional biomarker proteins are all negative acute phase reactants. This means that their concentrations drop when inflammation is present.  We also recognize that the presence of inflammation may exacerbate malnutrition which would also cause a drop in these proteins. This can make interpretation of results more difficult.  We will discuss these interpretive challenges further as we look at each biomarker.   Congratulations.  You have completed the DCA Vantage® Analyzer Hemoglobin A1c 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. In this course, you learned how to: Identify the steps to perform pre-sample handling The materials required to analyze Hemoglobin A1c on the DCA Vantage® Analyzer  include: DCA™ Systems Hemoglobin A1c Reagent Kit DCA™ Systems Hemoglobin A1c Normal and Abnormal Control Kit Patient Sample Lint-free tissue Remove and open the foil package of the HbA1c Reagent Cartridge. Do not use scissors to cut open the foil package as they 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 10 minutes in the unopened pouch. Remove the foil wrapped Reagent Cartridge by tearing down from the corner notch until the entire long side of the pouch is open. 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. The Reagent Cartridge must be discarded 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 60 minutes. Identify the steps to perform sample analysis The Reagent Cartridge is designed to fit only one way into the Cartridge Compartment. After filling the capillary, insert capillary holder into the reagent holder until the holder snaps into place. With the barcode facing to the right, insert the reagent cartridge into the cartridge compartment until a gentle snap is heard or felt. Remove the flexible pull-tab, close the door and dispose of the pull-tab. Approximately 5 seconds after the door is closed, a beep sounds, and the assay begins. If the door is closed before the flexible plastic tab is removed, you have 5 seconds to re-open the door and pull the tab. A test can be canceled at anytime. To cancel a test, select Cancel. If a test is in progress and is cancelled, the sample must be discarded. The Sample Data menu screen displays when the system detects the cartridge door is closed. After the 5 second delay, the screen then indicates a test is in progress. Data can be entered during the test if the Date Entry option has been enabled and configured. 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 procedures. Select Next to continue.     Now that we have covered the A B C’s of nutritional assessment, let’s focus on the laboratory’s role by looking at the individual biomarkers in more detail.   The materials required to analyze Hemoglobin A1c on the DCA Vantage® Analyzer include: DCA™ Systems Hemoglobin A1c Reagent Kit Patient Sample Lint-free tissue Note: Run Controls 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 Pre-Sample Handling for a Hemoglobin A1C sample. Slide NumberText BlocksCalloutsAudio ScriptImage File1 Reagent Cartridges can be kept up at room temperature up to 90 days 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. Note: Wear personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, and gloves. Use universal precautions when working with biohazardous materials. 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 before expiration date at room temperature. 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.2 Remove the foil wrapped Hemoglobin A1c Reagent Cartridge from the package. To open the foil pouch, tear 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. Remove the foil wrapped Hemoglobin A1c Reagent Cartridge by tearing down from the corner notch until the entire long side of the pouch is open. Do not use scissors to cut the foil package as they can damage the package or the contents.3 Remove and inspect the contents of the package. 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 foil package is open for more than 60 minutes after opening the foil pouch Select Next to continue. When handling the Reagent Cartridge, do not touch or otherwise contaminate the optical window. Otherwise, erroneous test results may occur. The Reagent Cartridge must be discarded 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 foil package is open for more than 60 minutes.4 Open the plastic wrap at the serrated edge of the Capillary Holders blister package and remove the white plastic film from the clear plastic blister. Inspect the capillary holder for the presence of the absorbent pad, glass capillary and the latching mechanism. Discard the plastic capillary holder if the glass capillary, absorbent pad, or latching mechanism are missing. When complete, select the X in the upper-right corner to close the window and continue.The Hemoglobin A1c Reagent Kit also contains the Capillary Holders. Each capillary holder is packaged separately in a blister package. Unused capillary holders may be saved and used with any lot of reagent cartridges. Open the plastic wrap of the capillary holder at the serrated edge of the blister package identified with the arrow. Remove the white plastic film from the clear plastic blister. Discard the plastic capillary holder if the glass capillary, absorbent pad, or latching mechanism are missing. Prealbumin is more properly called Transthyretin, but the name prealbumin continues to be used commonly in the nutritional literature. Prealbumin is produced in the liver and functions to transport the thyroid hormones, T3 and T4.  It also circulates complexed with retinol binding protein. The adult reference interval for prealbumin is 17 to 34 milligrams per d/L and the medical decision point for nutritional evaluation is less than 11 milligrams per d/L. Prealbumin has a short half-life of about two days. In addition, prealbumin has a small body pool meaning that the total amount normally present is not very large and prealbumin synthesis rate is very responsive to changes in protein intake.  All of these factors make prealbumin an excellent biomarker for changing nutritional status.   The glass capillary within the plastic capillary holder holds 1μL of whole blood. The blood sample may be obtained by finger stick or venipuncture. Acceptable anticoagulants are EDTA, Heparin, fluoride /Oxalate, and citrate. Wear personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, and gloves. Use Universal Precautions when working with biohazardous materials.   Sampling 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_90005588/DCA Vantage HbA1C Sample Handling_HTML5_800x600_9/DCA Vantage HbA1C Sample Handling_HTML5_800x600_9.swfHTML5 File:/content/generator/Course_90005588/DCA Vantage HbA1C Sample Handling_HTML5_800x600_9/index.htmlPDF File: Sample analysis begins with inserting the reagent cartridge into the Cartridge Compartment and the door is closed. 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. You can enter data during the test if you have enabled and configured Data Entry.  Note: If there is no Calibration Data on the Home screen for the lot of Reagent Cartridges, the Calibration Card must be scanned. Scanning the Calibration Card enters information about the Reagent Cartridge Lot into the system. This screen has a 10-second time-out.   Sample Analysis Learn how to analyze a Hemoglobin A1c sample. Instructions:If media does not automatically start, select the play arrow to begin.Flash File:/content/generator/Course_90005588/sim_DCAV_HemoglobinA1CSampleAnalysis_HTML5_800x600_9/sim_DCAV_HemoglobinA1CSampleAnalysis_HTML5_800x600_9.swfHTML5 File:/content/generator/Course_90005588/sim_DCAV_HemoglobinA1CSampleAnalysis_HTML5_800x600_9/index.htmlPDF File: Reagent Cartridge Removal Learn how to remove the Reagent Cartridge. Checklist TitleChecklist TypeChecklist ContentOpen DoorHTML Open the Reagent Cartridge Compartment Door. Select each checkbox to learn how to analyze a Hemoglobin A1c sample.  Push Release ButtonHTML Locate the button on the right side of the compartment. Push and hold down using your right hand.  Push TabHTML With your left hand, gently push the tab on the cartridge to the right.    Remove Reagent CartridgeHTML Remove the Reagent Cartridge from the compartment.   Close DoorHTML Close the door.  Discard the Cartridge in a proper container according to your standard laboratory procedures.  When complete, select the X in the upper-right corner to close the window and continue.

  • DCA-Vantage
  • DCAVantage
  • pre-sample handling
  • sample handling
  • sample analysis
  • HbA1c
  • reagent kit
  • lint-free tissue
  • lint free tissue
  • controls
  • glass capillary
  • plastic capillary
  • anticoagulants
  • cartridge compartment
  • sample data menu screen
  • calibration data
  • reagent cartridges
  • calibration card
  • reagent cartridge lot