Stat Fax 303 Plus, Operator'S Manual

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Awareness Technology, Inc. Stat Fax 303 Plus Operator’s Manual Rev. J 37
3.0 ADDITIONAL TIPS AND INFORMATION
3.1 Restoring Electronic Calibration
This instrument allows the entry of permanent calibration data by keyboard. This data is entered
at the factory as the original calibration data and is maintained in the non-volatile RAM of the
instrument. The data is also printed on the CALIBRATION DATA label affixed to the bottom of
the unit.
DO NOT ALTER ANY POTENTIOMETER SETTING. SUCH ALTERATION RENDERS THE
FACTORY CALIBRATION DATA INVALID!
If the calibration data is lost, the printout will show the message, “DO ABS SET TEST #212!” . If
the data is not restored, the message will continue to be printed each time the unit is turned on
and every time a new mode is selected or ended. The mode will operate, but calibration must be
restored to assure accuracy.
If the date is lost, reenter the date and time before restoring the calibration data. Then, enter the
data from the CALIBRATION DATA label by using the MENU (.) key and selecting test 212 .
When the display prompts “ABS FACTOR=” , enter the number from the ABSORBANCE line.
If the message “ADJUST OUT OF RANGE” appears, simply re-enter the correct data. To print a
report of the entered data, run test 213. The data in test 213 should match the data from the
CALIBRATION DATA label.
Note: When the stored calibration data is lost, the absorbance factor is set to 1.000. The
instrument will not accept a change greater than ±10% (.900 - 1.100) for the absorbance factor.
If the calibration data is lost, these limits assure that the instrument requires only minimal
adjustment from the keyboard to remain calibrated. Note that the number entered in test #212 is
multiplied by the current absorbance factor (set to 1 when reset). Thus, running test #212 (and
entering a factor) more than once will result in an incorrect absorbance factor. Confirm that the
factor is correct by running test #213.
3.2 Operating Precautions
Most errors in clinical laboratory testing are due not to bad reagents or malfunctioning
instrumentation but rather to operator error. We have taken several steps in the design of the
Microstrip Reader to minimize operator error: stable factory calibration, automatic zeroing,
complete operator prompting, detailed labeling, pre-programmed calculations, comprehensive
visual and audible feedback, flags and error messages, and minimal maintenance requirements.
The following precautions are offered to further assure quality laboratory results.
•
Read your instrument instruction manual before performing patient testing, and then keep it
handy as a reference. Be sure that you fully understand the purpose and limitations of this
instrument. Use of the bichromatic differential absorbance, for instance, generally increases
precision, since the element of variation caused by imperfections in disposable plastic strips is
removed from the results. In order to preserve sensitivity, however, it is important to select the
correct combination. It is also advisable to make dilutions of solutions that exceed 2.0A. You
must also understand the relationship of read volume to absorbance.
•
Use clean strips and follow the instructions for blanking and standardizing very closely. (Use of
the appropriate blanking material is also very important...water alone is not always specified.)
Do not read wells with bubbles or condensation.