Roche launches v-TAC blood gas digital solution

Swiss healthcare company Roche has launched a new blood gas digital solution called Roche v-TAC, which is said to be designed to enhance patient care.

The new digital diagnostic solution is said to help clinicians to get better results for arterial blood gas values from patients having respiratory or metabolic abnormalities by using a less invasive venous puncture via the use of a digital algorithm.

Blood gas analysis is generally applied in hospital point of care settings, including emergency rooms, ICUs and operating rooms, where quick and accurate results are required.

According to Roche, blood gas analysis offers clinicians information that covers a patient’s pulmonary function and acid-base status, which are both important to make a diagnosis, provide treatment and for keeping track of progress.

Roche v-TAC digital solution is said to help staff who are not specifically trained to draw arterial blood samples in drawing a venous blood sample instead and convert the values digitally into arterial blood gas values, thus freeing up the specialist healthcare staff to attend other tasks.

Roche launches v-TAC blood gas digital solution. Photo courtesy of F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Thomas Schinecker – Roche Diagnostics CEO said: “In an emergency situation such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Roche v-TAC could also help healthcare professionals to assess disease severity faster in patients and closely monitor potential deterioration in patients with respiratory compromise.

“Digital tools based on clinical algorithms like Roche v-TAC can help improve and simplify delivery of care in emergency situations faster and where it is most needed.”

The v-TAC solution is integrated fully for use with Roche’s cobas b 123 POC and cobas b 221 systems that use the Roche cobas infinity POC solution.

Roche added the v-TAC technology to its portfolio through the acquisition of Obi Medical Aps, a Danish blood gas testing technology company in March 2020.