Is anyone out there using the new Ortho MTS Gel Workstation? If so, what thermometer are you using to take daily temperatures?

We have one.  We ended up rigging a thermometer on a MTS card so we could monitor temps.  I can't believe that 1. they designed that way and 2. we didn't notice before purchasing it!

If it's like ours, we have a tube with saline and a calibrated thermometer in one of the incubator tube slots. Works for us.

There are two issues with the new MTS workstations.

1. No area to incubate tube (i.e. weak D test), so if you do not have a waterbath or dry bath you must purchase one.

2. only a light to indicate the temperature is within limits. Per CAP, I believe we should be doing daily temps. (See below)

 

 

 

COM .30750
Temperature Checks
Phase Il
Temperatures are checked and recorded each day of use for all temperature-dependent equipment and environments using a calibrated thermometer.
NOTE: Temperature-dependent equipment (e.g. refngerat ors. freezers, incubators) containing reagents and/or patient/client specimens must be monitored daily, as equipment failures could affect
accuracy of patient/client test results. Items such as water baths and heat blocks used for procedures need only be checked on days of patient/client testing.
If specific instruments, equipment, kits, or supplies have specified ambient temperature ranges for proper operation or use. there must be documentation that the specified ambient temperature is
maintained and corrective action taken when tolerance limits are exceeded.
The two acceptable ways of recording temperatures are: 1) recording the numerical temperature, or 2) placing a mark on a graph that corresponds to a numerical temperature (either manually, or
using a graphical recording device). The identity of the individual recording the temperature(s) must be documented (recording the initials of the individual is adequate).
The use of automated (including remote) temperature monitoring systems is acceptable providing that laboratory personnel have ongoing immediate access to the temperature data, so that
appropriate corrective action can be taken if a temperature is out of the acceptable range. The daily functionality of the system must be documented.
For heat blocks or dry baths, thermocouple probes may be used as an alternative method for checking the temperature.

 

 

As far as taking the daily temps, I asked my rep about the problem in the design and his answer we would need  to purchase a 'special' thermometer from Fisher:  NC0006583.

Not a good answer in my opinion.

alana

 

 

 

                                       

 

We use the Isensix temperature monitoring system in our blood bank.  When one of our hospitals decided to start doing gel they got the new workstation.  Isensix makes a sensor probe with a cylindrical end that fits into the well of a gel card.  It works pretty slick.  We of course get a temp recorded every 5 minutes but we can also turn on an alarm so it will buzz if they leave the lid open too long.  The heat block on this workstation apparently also lacks a way to change the temperature setting.  Our sensor says it runs about 36C but we can't set the temp higher so leaving the lid open can get it out of range easily. 

Does it look like the older workstation, minus the wells for tubes?

No it looks completely different. The incubator and centrifuge are all in one unit.

I've added a couple of pictures of the workstation.

There are no wells for tubes.  The incubator and centrifuge are combined.

As you can see, we have rigged up an MTS card with a thermometer to monitor the temperature.

S

Thanks for the pics, ours is very old and has the tube wells.  Shame on Ortho for not thinking through how to take this temp easily.  BTW, nice job on rigging a thermometer.

 

You should patent this for use is US

We were never informed by Ortho if they are selling it?????

We got a notice (I'm guessing it was in April) that Ortho was NOT going to support our incubators and centrifuges soon. I'm not sure what our contract says but I'm certain our contract is up soon and that's why we got the notification.  

Our centrifuge (back in the old days) was the size of a small bus and used a big chunk of counterspace - at least they though that part through! Ridiculous not to consider the temperature issue, however.

Nice pictures, AuntieS.  Thanks!!

 

Donna

What they do not say is that the new Cent-Incub combo takes up more counter space then the old (since the old incubator sits on top of the centrifuge).

I saw this at my annual Blood Bank Association of NY State meeting yesterday and I let them know that they forgot something. They said they would pass it on, but did not seem like it was a problem for them.

Hi,

Can I know the price of the new workstation

Did anybody used ID-HbS Sickle cell Test from BIORAD. It is a gel card technology.

What is the shelf life of the positive control cells?

Has anyone noticed that the RPM on the new workstation is 1032 rpm +/- 10rpm?  The MTS centrifuge that I currently have is set at 895rpm +/- 25.  When I checked the IFU - the statement was centrifuge at the setting provided by the manufacturer.  As usual, I am confused!!!!!

Edited September 5, 201410 yr by KKidd

The centrifuge radius is probably a bit different so different RPMs gives the same g force.  I had to rewrite procedures and forms to accommodate our different RPMs at our different sites.

And the above reasons is precisely why I have put off ordering new ones.   

Did anyone figure out how to take daily temps ?? We just received ours today.

Did anyone figure out how to take daily temps ?? We just received ours today.

 

Look at the post above from Aunti-S with pictures of digital thermometer probe inserted into a gel card

In reviewing the Operator's Manual provided with the Workstation, we identified another problem that I don't see mentioned in this post.  Page 13 states "Note: The incubator must not be used if the timer or temperature is out of specification."  See also page 18 "NOTE: The incubator must not be used if the timer is out of specification".  

 

At AABB last month, I asked an Ortho rep why the incubator must be taken out of service when the timer (that does not control the temperature) is not in calibration.  The Ortho rep had no idea that the operator's manuals said this, claimed that it must be an error and recommended not following the operators manual. 

 

I also asked how to validate that the green light actually turns off when the incubator gets too hot.  They had no suggestions.  We discussed taking daily temperatures without wasting a large number of gel cards.  They had many suggestions that did not follow the very specific instruction's in their operator's manual on how to achive this goal. 

In reviewing the Operator's Manual provided with the Workstation, we identified another problem that I don't see mentioned in this post.  Page 13 states "Note: The incubator must not be used if the timer or temperature is out of specification."  See also page 18 "NOTE: The incubator must not be used if the timer is out of specification".  

 

When ours get serviced the timing is checked by the engineer with a calibrated stopwatch. We do it also as part of opur weekly checks with a standard stopwatch. We also do our standard centrifuges to confirm they are spinning for the length of time the display says. With Ortho particularly, incorrect centrifugation time can give interference.

What thermometer do you guys use to validate the temperature of the incubator?