We have a 7 yr old CS 5, and use it for complex obstetric and gynaecological surgery in our women's hospital. We currently send off a Hct from the re infusion bag as a routine QC check, but sometimes get a low Hct especially in a couple of recent cases where the surgical team suctioned a large amount of saline wash into the reservoir.
2 Questions: what do others do in regards to routine QC testing? Does any one look at free Hb, residual heparin or other more clinically relevant substances?
What affects the final Hct, and what is considered acceptable ?
Thanks for your advice.