I am looking to cut down our TAT. We currently spin our specimens for 10 minutes. Any suggestions for stat centrifuges? TIA.

We use the STAT Spin Express 4 here which allows us to centrifuge our specimens for 3 minutes.

We use the Hettich and spin at 8000 rpm for 2 minutes.  Works great but it does has a latch check that takes a about a second to complete, so if you are really fast at pressing the start button, it won't start immediatedly.  I don't usually have a problem with it because I let it do it's thing, but occasionally I will be too fast and have to press start again.

23 minutes ago, BankerGirl said:

We use the Hettich and spin at 8000 rpm for 2 minutes.  Works great but it does has a latch check that takes a about a second to complete, so if you are really fast at pressing the start button, it won't start immediatedly.  I don't usually have a problem with it because I let it do it's thing, but occasionally I will be too fast and have to press start again. 

BankerGirl do you know the g force?

When you switched to the STAT Centrifuge did you validate?  Detailed info would be appreciated.

We use the Thermo Clinifuge, spin for 5 minutes, which we reduced from 10 a few months ago.  Specimens are routinely tested on the Immucor Echo analyzers.  We're in compliance with the vendor/manufacturer's requirements.

You definitely want to check compliance with manufacturer's requirements whether you are using tube testing, gel, solid phase and/or automation. That said, validation is a must, though it doesn't haven't to be a huge project. Run split samples centrifuged using your current method, then using the new method.  Tests should be representative - blood types, antibody screens as surrogate for indirect antiglobulin testing, direct antiglobulin testing, etc. - but don't have to be exhaustive.

5 hours ago, AMcCord said:

You definitely want to check compliance with manufacturer's requirements whether you are using tube testing, gel, solid phase and/or automation. That said, validation is a must, though it doesn't haven't to be a huge project. Run split samples centrifuged using your current method, then using the new method.  Tests should be representative - blood types, antibody screens as surrogate for indirect antiglobulin testing, direct antiglobulin testing, etc. - but don't have to be exhaustive.

We use Ortho gel primarily. It states nothing about centrifuge time. We use greiner tubes and they recommend 2000g for 10 min for platelet poor plasma. I am leaning towards the Stat spin express which is 3 minutes at 4000g. As long as it validates I don't see a problem do you?

Stat Spin is the way to go.  I've validated them at a previous job and based on 3 min and 4000g we checked specimens to make sure the plasma was plt poor.  A shorter spin time will most definitely lower your TATs and help with workflows too.

On 11/8/2018 at 10:21 AM, BloodbankZ said:

BankerGirl do you know the g force?

I do not know the g-force.  I found an online g-force calculator but since the model we have doesn't seem to be still available, it probably wouldn't help you much.  I'm sure if you looked at the specs of the ones they have now, you could find out.