Ortho Vision, Grifols Erytra or Biorad IH-1000

[NicolePCanada]

Sending out a question to all my blood bank peeps. Who has what? Likes, Dislikes? We currently have a Provue. A very reliable machine for 13 years, with outstanding service. It is almost time to replace. I need your expertise and opinions on what you use.

Thanks in advance.

[Mr Wayne Govender]

Having had the opportunity to have worked with all 3 of the aforementioned machines, I'd say beyond any doubt that Biorad is light years ahead of Ortho. You get definitive results with Biorad, not the untold and innumerable false positives using Ortho reagents and products. I don't remember having any major downtime issues with Biorad apart from the expected wear and tear of a robust machine running 24/7 - 365.

The turnaround time using Biorad was much better.

Maintenance schedule is a breeze.

 

[AuntiS]

Hey Nikki,

You planning on an IH-1000 or two IH-500?

Or a combination with or without the SAXO?

sandra

[David Saikin]

having been a manual gel user for years I am switching to solid phase in the next few weeks (ECHO 2.0). 

I like the fact that it's pretty much hands off once on the instrument.  I wanted to get away from gel as I've experienced many of the same discrepancies as with tubes.  I expect this will have its own vagaries however it is a step up for my staff. Also the price was right for a refurbished unit. 

[BldBnker]

I have used Immucor Echo instruments since 2008.  I love them!  There are still some issues with cold antibodies and weakly positive DAT's causing positive screens, as with any newer methodology.  Unfortunately, we are going to be going to the Ortho Visions due to corporate decisions.  I'm trying to be optimistic but am thankful to be in the latter part of my career (3 years to go!).

[Cliff]

We have two IH 1000.  They are workhorses.  They need service every now and then, BioRad has been great to work with.

[Mr Wayne Govender]

BioRad service engineers do not wear running shoes either...they stay as long as needs be to ensure that the machine is running smoothly without glitches. Can't say that for others who seem to have boarded the first flight on holiday before a batch of samples have completed the running.

[gene20354]

I am moving from Immucor instruments to BIO-RAD.  3 IH-500s and 2 IH-24 readers will be installed by the end of the year.   

[AMcCord]

My Echo is 13 going on 14 years old. It's been very reliable, service has been good. I will be upgrading to a new instrument next year to avoid a surcharge on our contract because we are running such an elderly analyzer.  I switched us from manual gel (which we used for about 8 years) because I was tired of weak antibody reactions that required PeG/tube to resolve. Solid phase has worked well with our patient population.

[NicolePCanada]

Thank you all for your responses. We will be sticking with the Gel Methodology. Nothing in my being wants to switch to solid phase. Just waiting for RFP, because at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter which one I want, but which one is the cheapest.

 

[Cliff]

On 10/4/2021 at 7:45 AM, NicolePCanada said:

Thank you all for your responses. We will be sticking with the Gel Methodology. Nothing in my being wants to switch to solid phase. Just waiting for RFP, because at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter which one I want, but which one is the cheapest.

 

Pay now or pay later.  I'd look at the volume of testing you plan to do on it, and the amount of hands on time required.  We have a busy lab and two IH-1000.  Most staff are comfortable running the two by themselves (and in this staffing environment we're all facing - that good ), some staff like assistance.  

Reagent cost - lease, reagent rental, outright purchase?

Reliability

Responsiveness of the company.

Annual maintenance requirements?

So much more to consider than the initial cost.

[NicolePCanada]

I don't disagree Cliff. In Canada, it is a little different and it totally comes down to initial cost. 

[David Saikin]

On 10/11/2021 at 10:55 AM, NicolePCanada said:

I don't disagree Cliff. In Canada, it is a little different and it totally comes down to initial cost. 

That is not unique to north of the border

[cthherbal ★]

We have the Ortho Vision which interfaces to our LIS, Cerner. Pretty reliable overall and only 1-2 service calls per year.

We run type and screens, Cord bloods, Unit Confirmations, and Panels.

We do see a few ? reactions every day where my staff are allowed to view the gel card and edit grades based on their eye view.