The Beckman Coulter Act 10 Hematology Blood Analyzer is a low cost and affordable automated blood analyzer that is ideal for small clinics and medical facilities which do not require high volume analysis requirements. It follows the Act 8 in the Act series of machines coming from the manufacturer. It is an entry level hematology analyzer which offers whole blood and pre dilute capabilities and comes with 10 major parameters for analysis mainly white cell differential and histograms for WBC and RBC, hemoglobin count, HCT count, MCV, MCH, MCHC, platelet count as well as lymphocyte count and percentage.

It allows for one step sample processing using a user friendly touch screen interface that comes with language independent icons and is convenient and easy to operate. The automated probe wipe cleans the probe and makes it safe. The small sample size allows for analysis of blood samples collected from venal and capillary sources. The compact design makes it easily movable and it occupies less space and is ideal for congested environments. The machine is also lightweight and weighs around 14 Kgs. The frequency of processing is relatively high with up to 50 samples being processed per hour with STAT capability. It requires minimal maintenance and is a very reliable and affordable piece of machinery.

The machine is ideal for low volume labs and clinical facilities which perform a maximum of 50 CBC’s each day. Its salient feature is the proprietary Beckman Coulter histogram differential technology that has a proven track record in terms of reliability and efficiency. The results are available in quick time cutting down on waiting time. The low maintenance ensures cost reduction and the machine also comes with data management capabilities for storing patient data and to control sample storage. There is also optional veterinary software which allows hematological analysis capability for cat, dog and horse blood samples in clinical labs.

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Another compactly designed specimen from the GE Marquette series of ECG machines, the GE Marquette Mac 5000 Premium Resting ECG Machine is at top of the line interpretive system that combines additional features with the usual functionalities and features that are incorporated by the highly popular Marquette MAC series of machines. As said by the manufacturers, it delivers high performance using advanced capabilities that can be offered only by the most extensive collection of interpretive algorithms used in the ECG machine industry.

It is a highly evolved non invasive testing solution that combines unparalleled hardware technology with a complete suite of networkable software solutions which optimizes output and productivity which makes it ideal for any facility that aspires for a high performing ECG machine.

Its sophisticated advanced functionalities deliver complete solutions for advanced ECG applications and extend a high degree of performance to the largest possible user base. It allows for advanced 12 lead ECG computer analysis and interpretation with P-wave signal averaging, late potential analysis, ACI-TIPI and gender specific interpretational criteria as part of the revolutionary 12 SL trademarked technology from the GE Marquette series for the identification of arrhythmia.

The MAC 5000 is a premier resting ECG system that delivers the most advanced disease diagnostic management application that most machines fall short of achieving. The late potential analysis offers effective management for ventricular and atrial arrhythmia as well as chest pain. It delivers broad based connectivity solutions using the MUSE CV information system for data storage and retrieval of ECG interpretational data.

The backlit LCD screen display is of high resolution and has waveform enhancement capability. It displays data such as heart rate, patient demographics, filter settings, warning and prompts as well as help messages. The interpreted data can be printed out in high resolution using the thermal dot array printer that is inbuilt and works on Z fold paper of A or A4 sizes on Z fold paper.

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EKG Machines are used to measure and record any abnormal activity within a patient’s heart. It can detect a multitude of heart ailments in quick time and with ease. The readings are usually recorded as a graph that leaps up and down and describes the electrical action of the heart muscles. The average time taken for a test to be conducted is 5 minutes. The readings can be read only by a trained physician is incomprehensible to a layman.

The Nihon Kohden ECG-1350A Cardio Fax M EKG Machine is a 12 channel recording machine that meets major international performance standards that are prescribed for electrocardiographs on pointers such as accuracy and digital filter performance. It comes with a high clarity LCD display screen which lists the results for review. IT has substantial internal memory which allows for storing of up to 40 ECG files and also allows for huge amounts of data to be stored on external SD memory cards which can be transferred onto a PC using a LAN connection or USB cable. It is compatible with windows based computer systems on which the recorded data can be analyzed and managed using optional ECG viewer software.

The performance delivered by this unit is of exceptionally high standards and is relatively economical. It is also portable and light weight which allows for easy transportation and moving around. First hand machines come with a 4 year warranty and an ECAPS 12C interpretive analysis program. The compact design occupies minimal space and is convenient for small clinics and medical facilities. It also comes with an alphanumeric keyboard that enables data entry and patient information storage and retrieval.

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The Mortara Eli 250 Deluxe EKG ECG Machine is the next generation of 12 lead resting electrocardiograph machines and interprets the acquired data based on internationally recognized ECG machine interpretation algorithm. It has a high resolution LCD display with backlight that enables previewing of the interpretive data from the 12 leads of ECG in real time. It also allows viewing of recalled data once the ECG has been acquired.

The keyboard is a fully loaded alphanumeric one, which is very user friendly and comes with single touch buttons for instant acquisition of ECG data and for making print outs or transmissions. The printer supports A4 size paper and includes multiple printout options from 6 channel or 12 channel data including copies. The high internal storage capacity lets you save up to 60 ECG recordings. The expandable memory is less impressive and allows only up to 150 ECG records.

The EKG machine is connectivity savvy and supports two way data exchange using serial ports, an inbuilt modem which can transmit and receive data via LAN or Wireless network. The software provides for multiple data encryption methods including WEP, WPA-PSK etc. The transmission of data can be managed using the software options that are built into the system. The machine also supports information exchange interfaces which help transmit and receive patient demographics, ECG orders and displayable results.

The data is transmitted and received using original equipment software as well as third-party software. There is an option barcode reader that allows scanning to quick and easy data entry which is also accurate. The display part is quite soothing to the eyes and is not overly colorful or bright. The design is sleek and compact and hence does not occupy much space, which makes it ideal for use in space constricted offices and clinics. The small size also makes it portable and easy to move around other medical equipment.

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Most medical practitioners tend to forget that patients, regardless of how familiar they are with their diagnosis and prognosis, use medical terms and language that patients don’t understand.

When you send your patients for an EKG test, one needs to remember, especially with older patients that they are hardly familiar with commonly used medical terms. And when the patient does not know what to expect, a simple procedure like an EKG can turn into a traumatic event or can pave the way for unnecessary stress.

It is important for a patient to know that what exactly you or the EKG machine technician will be doing when an electrocardiogram is performed. Further, it is very helpful and comforting to let the patient know that an EKG procedure involves no pain or any discomfort and that the preparation only involves attaching a couple of “plasters” on them. In addition, the majority of patients feel more safe and comforted when they are informed that the actual assessment takes only about 60 seconds after which the EKG machine will print the results immediately on a graphic paper from the machine and that he or she will be able to have the results interpreted by the doctor or cardiologist.

It is also a good idea after you make a diagnosis, to inform the patient as to why you would like to perform or request for an EKG to be performed on them. Most patients think if you request for a EKG test, they are about to die. Few of them are informed that an EKG is used to follow up on an existing heart disease or condition that they might have or to follow up on the prognosis after they suffered a heart attack or when you as the medical practitioner suspect malfunctioning of the heart or a similar condition.

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Well, you might realize that having a successful general practice involves having some specialized diagnostic equipment readily available. Or the other scenario might be that you’re your “old-faithful” EKG machine has decided to retire unexpectedly and it is broken with no repair possibilities.

Some things have changed since you last had a look at the technology and features provided. Listed are some factors you will need to take into consideration before buying your new EKG machine.

1. Paper Use

What paper does the new medical equipment use and what are the dimensions of the paper? You will find that certain electrocardiograph machines use 6 cm sheets or half sized sheets to do print outs on. It is even possible to find EKG machines that make use of smaller paper that are able to provide you with a full print in 3 x 4 + 1 format. However, the preferred used paper for EKG printouts by the majority of cardiologist remains the letter sized paper which is 8.5” x 11”. This may be a more expensive choice but for filing and record keeping purposes this is the best paper option to use.

2. Data Capturing Capabilities

The ideal is to have an EKG machine that allows you to enter specific patient information via a keyboard. It is common sense that an EKG are used by several medical personnel and with printed patient information on the EKG test printout it does not only serve to be more professional, but also prevents wrong identification added to a printout with obvious serious implications.

3. What View Do You Have?

With a screen at your disposal fitted to the EKG machine, you will be able to see that all leads are in good working order. This feature also allows you to ensure that the base line is stable before starting to record the EKG. If all 12 leads are visible, you will be able to view all activities in real time.

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An electrocardiogram, known as an EKG, is one of the first tests ordered by physicians for patients that are suspected of having heart problems. The EKG machine assesses the electrical activity of the heart by measuring time intervals and the amount of activity that passes through the muscles of the heart. Every time the heart beats, it sends an electrical wave through the heart. These electrical impulses trigger the heart muscles to compress, forcing the heart to pump out blood. Measuring the length of time it takes for the electric impulses to travel to the different areas of the heart allows physicians to determine if the activity is in the normal range. It can reveal abnormalities if electrical activity is irregular.

These electrical waves are recorded by the EKG machine and then displayed on a graph paper that is printed out by the physician.

This noninvasive procedure is performed by applying sticky electrodes to the patient’s body. Electrodes are placed on the chest, arms, legs and depending on the type of EKG machine used, may be placed on the shoulders and hips as well. The patient is connected to the EKG machine via the wires that are attached to the electrodes. The patient is instructed to remain still during the procedure to allow for an accurate recording of the EKG. Once all of the electrodes are applied and the test is administered, the actual recording will take only a few moments.

There are no risks associated with an EKG stress test. It is a safe and pain free procedure with no reports of serious reactions. The most common minor side effect is skin irritation at the site of the electrodes after they are removed. Occasionally, normal recordings occur in patients that have substantial heart disease. Additionally, an EKG may present as abnormal while the heart is functioning properly with no abnormalities. For this reason it is always best to obtain a second opinion. It is recommended that patients presenting with an abnormal EKG test or patients with normal results that are presenting with abnormal cardiac symptoms should make an appointment with a cardiac specialist.

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The normal kind of EKG test is done while in a resting position. This is when you lay down on a bed, the EKG technicians attach the electrodes to your arms, legs, and chest area and you lay down for a short while the test is done. This is for about one minute. In the event when this type of EKG does not provide sufficient or significant results, the doctor or cardiologist will request one of the following three types of EKG machine tests:

In many instances serious heart diseases or heart malfunctioning can not be diagnosed when you are in a resting phase. This means, only when there is some strain on your heart like when you perform some kind of activity and your heart needs to work harder, these problems shows up and can be diagnosed effectively and accurately. With a normal stress test you will be walking on a treadmill or pedal on a fitness bicycle.

Now this is all very well if you are able to walk and perform some kind of action, but what happens to patients that cannot walk for instance? With the advancement of medical technology, these patients are injected with a chemical that causes the heart to beat faster and cause your blood to flow faster, resembling the affect normal exercise will have on your heart. In these events, an echocardiography or a nuclear heart scan is done to trace the functioning of the heart.

The process of nuclear heart scanning requires a radioactive tracer to be injected into the bloodstream while a special radiology camera follow the tracer as it travels through your heart and different arteries.

When an echocardiography is used, it makes use of sound waves to indicate the flow of your blood through the heart chambers, functioning of the heart chamber valves and the amount of strength your heart muscle uses to perform these different actions.

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While many people understand the importance of having an annual physical exam, few people think of having an annual heart exam. But heart disease claims a number of lives each year. Often when heart disease is caught early, it can be treated, and the outcomes are good. Here are some guidelines for scheduling your first heart exam.

* Both men and women need to have annual heart exams. If you have a family history of heart disease, or two more more known risk factors (smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, lack of exercise, or high cholesterol), you should have your first annual exam around age 35 for men, 40 for women. Otherwise, the first annual exam should occur around 40 for men, and at around the time of menopause for women.

* Heart exams should begin with a complete medical history. A general physical exam should be given, including blood pressure and heart rate. Lab tests should include cholesterol and lipid panels, and tests for diabetes. An EKG test should also be conducted. If the EKG machine results show a problem, further testing, including an ambulatory test, a stress test, or heart catheterization may be appropriate.

* Heart exams should be given annually. The best outcomes occur when heart disease is recognized early and treated appropriately.

* Anyone who experiences symptoms that suggest heart disease should seek earlier evaluation, including emergency care if symptoms of a heart attack are present. Symptoms that suggest heart disease include fainting, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, irregular heart beats, rapid heart beats, and discomfort in the chest during activity.

It is important to remember that heart disease does not always give symptoms to warn us that it is present. This is why early and regular testing is important. An EKG machine test is simple, does not take long, and is noninvasive. But the information it provides can save lives, especially when it helps us recognize impending heart disease. While an EKG is an essential tool for providing care for the heart, the information it gives us cannot be evaluated in a vacuum. The EKG machine is just one of the diagnostic tools using in evaluating the condition of the heart and circulatory system.

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Most of us associate having an EKG with a frantic trip the emergency room, or lying flat on our back in our doctor’s or cardiologist’s office having a diagnostic procedure. But you can have an EKG test while you are at home or out and about doing your normal activities.

This type of EKG is called an ambulatory EKG, or more commonly a Holter monitor, after its inventor Dr. Norman J. Holter. A Holter monitor is a device which is designed to be worn for an extended period of time, from 24 hours up to a month. Like a standard EKG machine, it uses electrodes to record the electrical activity of the heart, though it may use a smaller number of electrodes for data capture, even as few as three.

Unlike a normal EKG test, however, the Holter monitor is designed to allow doctors to observe and diagnose conditions which may be difficult to observe using a normal EKG. For example, a patient may having occasional arrhythmias. The chance of catching the patient during that time, at a facility equipped to perform an EKG, setting up the EKG, and catching the arrhythmia while it is happening is so small as to be nonexistent.

In contrast, if a patient is wearing an ambulatory EKG machine or Holter monitor, the instant recording of data is only the push of a button away. For example, patients wearing this cardiac monitor are instructed to start the device recording any time they feel a symptom of what is expected may be a cardiac event. Many patients are also instructed to keep a journal, recording any medically significant information, including date and time of experiencing symptoms, symptoms experienced, activity at time of symptom onset, duration of symptoms, etc. Not only do you then have subjective information, but you have the objective record of the patient’s heart’s electrical activity while symptomatic.

This can provide clinical data useful in diagnosing—and ruling out—a variety of cardiac conditions, including:

• Atrial fibrillation
• Multifocal atrial tachycardia
• Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
• Ventricular tachycardia
• Bradycardia

Holter monitors are also used to observe the way the heart reacts to normal every day activity and stress, or as a more thorough assessment of heart functioning.

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