What the RAPIDPoint 500e measures, and why ICUs keep it close
A blood gas result is only useful if it arrives while the doctor is still deciding. The Siemens Healthineers RAPIDPoint 500e sits in or beside the ICU and reports blood gas, electrolytes, metabolites and CO-oximetry in about 60 seconds.
What does the RAPIDPoint 500e measure?
The RAPIDPoint 500e measures blood gas (pH, pCO2, pO2), electrolytes (sodium, potassium, ionised calcium and chloride), glucose and lactate, and a full CO-oximetry panel including total haemoglobin, oxygen saturation and neonatal total bilirubin. It needs 100 µL of blood and gives the result in about 60 seconds.
Why a cartridge matters to a busy unit
Older blood gas analyzers need electrodes, membranes and gas bottles looked after by trained staff. The RAPIDPoint 500e puts the sensors and the sample probe inside a cartridge, so daily maintenance is practically zero.
- New sensors with every cartridge: the sensor module and sample probe are replaced together.
- About 24 minutes to start: a new cartridge initialises and the analyzer is ready.
- 28 days on board: or until the cartridge reaches its number of tests.
How it keeps results reliable
Nurses and junior doctors run most bedside samples, often at night. The analyzer is built so that the operator does not have to judge its condition.
- Automatic quality control: three levels of QC on a schedule you set, with records kept for accreditation.
- One sampling port: syringe and capillary samples are handled the same way, which reduces differences between operators.
- Controlled access: two-step operator authentication, encrypted passwords and a built-in firewall.
Where it fits in a hospital
The system suits ICUs, emergency departments, operating theatres and laboratories that run blood gas tests every day. Results go to the LIS over Ethernet, wireless or serial connection, and a built-in barcode scanner reads patient and operator IDs. For a handheld option at the bedside, compare it with the epoc system.
What Milap does around the analyzer
Installation
Site check, installation, calibration and LIS connection.
Training
Operator training for clinical and laboratory staff.
Service
Preventive maintenance, AMC or CMC and breakdown support from Bengaluru.
Before you buy, read how to choose a blood gas analyzer and the common pre-analytical errors that spoil results.
Frequently asked questions
About 60 seconds from sample to result.
100 µL, from a syringe or a capillary tube.
Up to 28 days on board, or until it reaches its maximum number of tests.
Practically none. The sensors and sample probe are inside the cartridge and are replaced with it.
Yes. It connects to the LIS by Ethernet, wireless or serial connection, and Milap sets up the connection during installation.
Thinking about a blood gas analyzer for your ICU?
Tell us your daily sample numbers and we will advise on the right system.