Magnifique II offers a large viewing lens with good flicker free light, with no stroboscopic effects, and also provides for a barrier of protection between the operator and the blood sample
When a unique problem was found in the anticoagulant clinic of outpatients at Ealing Hospital, Michael Milne, its scientist and lecturer in special testing methods, found the answer in the Magnifique II magnifier from Luxo.
Nurses and pleibotomists at the anticoagulant clinic carry out routine blood tests on patients taking the anticoagulant drug Warfarin, which involves approximately 1% of the UK population, and local residents will access the clinic every three to four weeks.
The test involves a capillary sample technique at 'point of care', a process now widely used to allow immediate treatment of the patient.
The procedure involves a capillary blood sample being drawn from the finger of the patient and transferred by hand pipette into a testing chamber.
The process could allow blood to be in contact with the work surfaces or the operators' clothing.
It was found that Magnifique II not only offers a large viewing lens with good flicker free light for the test, with no stroboscopic effects but also provides for a barrier of protection between the operator and the blood sample reducing the danger of contamination to the health worker.
Michael Milne commented: "With its large lens and almost invisible lens frame, Magnifique II is an ideal visual aid and a useful tool in such medical applications.
"Its design and ergonomics provide for an easy clean of the sealed light unit and removable lens, which is consistent with good practice."
