Open Channel Reagents

There are many different manufacturers of clinical chemistry analysers, who provide their users with extensive test menus. However, it is very difficult for these manufacturers to meet every need in a clinical lab.

Open channel reagents can help to fill any gaps in these test menus, thus providing clinical laboratories with an alternative whilst securing controls and reagents that aren’t available from their instrument provider.

Open channel reagents give laboratories the ability to bring new diagnostic tests in-house and improve patient care by reducing turnaround times, which in the long run allows for faster diagnosis and quicker treatment plan decisions.

Although open channel reagents offer a very important service to clinical laboratories, it is imperative to carefully evaluate suppliers on the quality of their assays, as well as the service and support they provide – ultimately ensuring that their reagents prove successful on another manufacturer’s clinical chemistry analyser.

Benefits of open channel

The main benefit to laboratories in introducing open channel reagents is the ability to expand their test menu without expanding their laboratory, meaning there is no need to purchase additional equipment or analysers.

Many laboratories will be outsourcing or sending tests to a reference lab. This obviously has cost implications. By bringing the test in-house laboratories can make significant savings in both cost and turnaround time.

For some markers, although instrument manufacturers might offer the test it might not always be the most superior or the best method. Open channel or third-party reagents can sometimes offer a more accurate or superior method ultimately improving the accuracy of patient testing. This will be especially important to private laboratories in which the public are paying for this service. It also helps private labs stand out from their competition.

Obstacles to open channel suppliers

Despite the many benefits of open channel reagents there can be some challenges or obstacles to implementing this type of reagent. For example, the packaging may not be compatible with the laboratory’s specific analyser, meaning an extra step for laboratory staff and the need to pour the reagent into a component suitable for the analyser. These obstacles in most cases can be easily overcome and the benefits often outweigh the challenges.

Considerations

If a lab is considering introducing an open channel supplier, there are a few things to consider and evaluate. Firstly, laboratories should ensure whether the clinical chemistry analyser is locked or requires special packaging. In some instances, the instrument is provided with the benefit of fully open channel capabilities, however some manufacturers require to be contacted in order to implement this functionality.

How Randox can help

At Randox we can introduce cost savings for your laboratory and reduce the risk of errors occurring, ultimately ensuring confidence in patient test results whilst reducing time and labour.

Randox Reagents offer an extensive range of third party reagents that can be used on a wide range of clinical analysers, most of which are liquid ready-to-use. At Randox we are one of the few suppliers offering niche tests including sdLDL, Adiponectin and Cystatin C. All diagnostic reagents are presented in bottles which fit easily onto your analyser avoiding the need to pour the reagents into dedicated bottles. A wide range of validated analyser applications are available to ensure ease of programming and confidence in results.

The vision of Randox is one of ambition, innovation and commitment to improving health worldwide. We firmly believe that the healthcare of tomorrow depends on the innovations developed today. As a world leader in the in-vitro diagnostics industry with over 35 years’ experience, Randox products offer clinicians and physicians the most comprehensive insight into patient diagnosis allowing for more effective disease management and treatment.

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Reagents Overview Brochure