Coaguchek Xs

Monitoring INR Levels With CoaguChek XS

Are you undergoing long-term therapy for anticoagulation and need a means of monitoring your INR levels at home and on the go? CoaguChek XS system is a portable and user-friendly solution for self-testing. The device is ready to use anywhere and at any time, so you can test yourself at home, school, or work and even while travelling.

Roche offers a number of different testing kits, but they are all fundamentally similar in that they include a monitor that tests a drop of capillary whole blood. The test is fast and accurate, and it provides the user PT, PR, and INR levels:

• Prothrombin time - This is a measure of how long blood takes to clot in seconds.
• Prothrombin ratio - This is derived from PT and puts that value in context.
• International Normalized Ratio - This is derived from PT and indicates how much warfarin is present at the time of testing.

Note that there are different kit versions available, and these kits can vary slightly from one to the next. However, you can generally expect a CoaguChek XS kit from Roche Diagnostics to include the following:

• CoaguChek meter - The meter tests the blood and provides data via an LCD display.
• Carrying case - This case protects the meter and can hold the necessary supplies.
• Lancets - Softclix and safety lancets are used to draw the blood.
• Alcohol prep pads - These pads are used to prep the area from which you'll draw blood.
• Test strips - The strips collect the blood and are inserted into the meter for testing.

Capillary whole blood is drawn using a lancet. That blood is then dropped onto a fresh test trip. The test strip is then inserted into the CoaguChek monitor. This action turns the monitor on and initiates the test. The strip is discarded after use, so you'll need one strip for each test you will conduct. New kits generally include 24 strips. Additional test strips are available in 24- and 48-count boxes.

Yes. The CoaguChek XS monitor requires four AAA batteries. Roche Diagnostics includes a set of batteries in the box, so if you buy a CoaguChek XS system new in box, batteries will likely be included. According to the manufacturer, you can get up to 300 tests on fresh batteries. Disposable batteries should be changed every two years regardless of test count, and you can use rechargeable batteries if you prefer.