IDEXX VetLab®notes
Get the most value out of your IDEXX VetLab® system

Our FREE online newsletter provides valuable ideas to help you make the most of your system.

Introducing our new 12-test boxes of VetTest® slides.
You asked for it—IDEXX is delivering it! Now, all 21 of our VetTest chemistry slides are available in 12-test boxes.

Why run plasma samples on your VetTest® analyzer? To save time and provide faster patient care.

Your hospital's morning routine is suddenly interrupted by an emergency case—a border collie with hit-and-run trauma. You need to run blood work to assess the damage and begin treatment, but which type of sample should you run to provide the most responsive care?

You always have a choice with your IDEXX VetTest Chemistry Analyzer. You can run a serum sample or a lithium heparin plasma sample. The plasma sample will give you faster results, so you can quickly assess your patient's condition, make a diagnosis and begin treatment during the patient visit.

Plasma samples save time—Choosing a green-topped tube and preparing plasma will completely eliminate the need for clotting the sample. This equates to an eight-minute total run time from sample prep to completion—a significant time savings over serum.

The key to success in using plasma is that you stop the blood from clotting by introducing it to anticoagulant as quickly as possible. With proper technique, fibrin will not have the opportunity to begin forming in the sample. For even easier sample preparation, consider using a lithium heparin tube (Becton Dickinson's Microtainer® brand tube) with a gel barrier. This barrier is very effective at separating the plasma from fibrin or impurities. Call us if you need more information on these tubes.

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Make a Note
Adjusting the IDEXX VetLyte® standby mode can help with workflow

Standby mode is similar to a personal computer's sleep mode in that it allows the machine to rest and preserve the life of its fluid packs and electrodes. Each time the VetLyte comes out of standby, conditioning fluid must be run for optimal quality. You can change your VetLyte setting to alter the standby frequency, making it more convenient for your clinic's workflow.

To Change the Standby Frequency

1. From the ANALYZE SAMPLE? screen, push the NO button until the screen says SERVICE FUNCTIONS. Push YES.
2. Push NO until you see the screen ENTER/VERIFY SERVICE CODE. Push YES.
3. There are two possible three-letter settings you can enter:
   • ECF—VetLyte automatically goes into standby every three hours, no matter when the last sample was run
   • ECO—VetLyte goes into standby three hours after the most recent sample was run
4. The first letter in the three-letter service code is underlined. Push NO until it displays the letter you want. Push YES and the next letter is underlined. Push NO until it changes to the letter you want. Push YES. Do the same for the third letter. Pushing YES will take you to the next screen, ENTER ANOTHER SERVICE CODE? Push NO.
5. Push NO until ANALYZE SAMPLE? is displayed again

Questions? Call us anytime at 1-800-248-2483.

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Meet an IDEXX Support Team Member

IDEXX has over 100 customer and technical support representatives available to answer your call. Here is just one of our friendly team members.

Scott Lavoie, Instrument Service Supervisor, joined IDEXX in 1995 and has extensive knowledge of all the IDEXX VetLab equipment. He started out in instrument quality assurance, moved to instrument repair, and then worked in technical support for three years before returning to instrument service three years ago. "What's great about being in service is that I can make a piece of equipment perform its best to help veterinarians provide top-notch patient care." Scott and his wife have two children, a dog and five cats.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Can my VetTest analyzer communicate with my practice's computer system?

Now that the "paperless practice" trend is growing, many practices want their in-house laboratory results to automatically transfer to their practice-management system.

Through the VetTest®, your IDEXX in-house instruments work with many popular practice-management programs, including:

If you need more information about your particular system, please contact your software provider directly.

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To Reach IDEXX Customer Support

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