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Blood management in psychiatry

Blood monitoring for compliant clozapine treatment –
wherever and whenever

Clozapine is considered gold standard for treating TRS (treatment-resistant schizophrenia), with superior effects including better compliance, lower general mortality and suicides as well as less drug- and alcohol abuse.1

Clozapine treatment requires mandatory blood monitoring of white blood cell counts and absolute neutrophil count.2

The HemoCue® WBC DIFF System brings the unique possibility to test and receive reliable results right at the point of care, increasing the likelihood of successful monitoring while creating a safe space for the patient.

Want to learn more about how point-of-care testing can enhance your treatment plans for patients with TRS?

Contact us

What is TRS (treatment-resistant schizophrenia)?

Midsection of unrecognizable White woman struggling with anxiety and cracking her knuckles while contemplating problems.

 

 

Approximately 1/3 of all patients with schizophrenia are treatment-resistant, defined as inadequate response to two different antipsychotics.3

TRS patients have poorer outcomes with less functional milestones of everyday living, including lower marriage rates, higher prevalence of drug or alcohol abuse and higher rates of residence in facilities.1

The prevalence of clozapine utilization among patients with schizophrenia varies significantly between countries – but is greatly underused in most regions.3

Challenges with treating
patients with TRS

A major drawback of clozapine is the increased risk of developing granulocytopenia or even agranulocytosis (in 0.4% of patients).3

This leads to a higher risk of infections which, if undiagnosed and untreated, may prove to be fatal. Therefore, these patients are required to receive extensive monitoring of white blood cells.4

Blood monitoring is found to be an important factor in the underutilization of clozapine prescriptions.5

Testing during clozapine treatment
at the point of care

Conclusive results that can guide treatment decisions – saving time for both you and your patients

HemoCue® WBC DIFF System brings the unique possibility to test and receive reliable results for WBC + ANC (absolute neutrophil count), right at the point of care.

Choose between venous or capillary blood samples, and prevent any discomfort caused by testing at or sending samples to the lab.

In just 5 minutes, HemoCue® WBC DIFF System provides conclusive results that can guide treatment decisions – saving time for both you and your patients.

01

Simplified blood monitoring – wherever and whenever

HemoCue® WBC DIFF System offers the unique possibility of testing and receiving reliable results for WBC + ANC right at the point of care. In just five minutes, you can access results that can guide treatment decisions, saving time for both you and your patients.

 

  • The only “true” POC system for WBC + ANC
    HemoCue® WBC DIFF System gives a lab accurate total white blood cell count as well as a 5-part differential – right where and when needed
  • Lightweight and with a small footprint
    Using a portable device means that it’s easy to bring to the where the patients are
  • Battery operated system
    Don’t worry about finding a power socket, benefit from using HemoCue® WBC DIFF System with 6 type C alkaline batteries
  • Immediate access 24/7
    Easy to use by HCP after a brief training

02

Patient-friendly blood monitoring for compliant clozapine treatment

Choose between venous or capillary blood samples and prevent any discomfort caused by testing at or sending samples to the lab.

 

  • Capillary sampling as an attractive solution for needle-adverse patients – choose between venous or capillary blood samples, and prevent any discomfort caused by testing at or sending samples to the lab
  • Minimal blood volume required – one single drop of blood is enough for measuring with HemoCue® WBC DIFF System
  • Routines that provide comfort for the patient – Create a safe space and increase the likelihood of successful monitoring by having a well-known HCP perform the test. Minimize the worry and stress of catching appointments at the lab
  • Improved adherence to treatment regimes
    A patient-friendly experience increases chances of following treatment plans

 

03

Faster treatment decisions and streamlined workflow in three simple steps

In just 5 minutes, HemoCue® WBC DIFF System provides conclusive results that can guide treatment decisions – saving time for both you and your patients.

 

  • Flexible testing for improved workflow
    A flexible testing procedure enables you to keep an efficient workflow even when testing has not been done beforehand
  • 3 simple steps
    HemoCue® WBC DIFF System offers a simple test procedure, that can be handled by HCP after a brief training
  • Quick TAT
    HemoCue® WBC DIFF System provides results for WBC + ANC in just 5 minutes
  • Hassle-free data transfer
    With the built-in data management features, data can be easily and securely transferred from analyzer to HIS/LIS
Step 1 - How to use the HemoCue® WBC DIFF System
01

Fill the microcuvette

Step 2 - How to use the HemoCue® WBC DIFF System
02

Place the microcuvette into the analyzer

Step 3 - How to use the HemoCue® WBC DIFF System
03

View results within 5 minutes

Contact us to learn more

HemoCue® WBC DIFF System

Doctor and patient in health care environment with WBC DIFF- white blood monitor system.

 

The HemoCue® WBC DIFF System brings the unique benefit of total white blood cell (WBC) count with a 5-part differential within minutes, enabling faster care while saving valuable time and money with a more streamlined workflow.

Go to the product page to learn more

Customer story

WeMind is a Swedish mental healthcare provider, established in 2006. In the past few years, WeMind has grown to be the largest private provider within psychiatry, with clinics in Stockholm, Göteborg and the Skåne region. In Nacka, there is a specialized clinic for adult patients who need psychiatric assessment, investigation, and treatment.

Valeria Grevsten, Senior Physician in the team for psychotic disorders at WeMind in Nacka, has the overall responsibility for the healthcare setup of psychotic disorders within the southeast area of Stockholm (incl. clinics in Nacka, Värmdö, Tyresö, Haninge and Nynäshamn).

Read her story to learn how the implementation of the system has benefited their practice.

Read the story

Frequently Asked
Questions

As stated in the IFU (instructions for use), it is recommended to verify unexpected results using venous blood, or to confirm results by an alternative method.

You can find instructional videos for all systems at our Knowledge Center.

A white blood cell count result should always be interpreted in the context of patient history and other clinical signs. The HemoCue® WBC DIFF System will display a flag or an error code if a problem is detected within the system or samples. The explanations and recommended actions for each flag or error code are described in the manual.

References

1 Nucifora et al. Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia: Clinical, Biological, and Therapeutic Perspectives. Neurobiology of Disease 2019: 131. DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.08.016.

2 European Medicines Agency (EMA), 2002. Committee for proprietary medicinal products (CPMP): summary information on referral opinion following arbitration pursuant to article 30 of council directive 2001/83/EC for Leponex and associated names. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/referral/summary-information-referral-opinion-following-arbitration-pursuant-article-30-council-directive-200183ec-leponex-and-associated-names-international-non-proprietary-name-inn-clozapine-background_en.pdf Accessed October 28, 2024.

3 Jakobsen et al. Antipsychotic prescribing practices for outpatients with schizophrenia and reasons for non-clozapine treatment – Data from a Danish quality assessment audit. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry 2023, Vol 77(5):481-490.

4 Li et al. The prevalence of agranulocytosis and related death in clozapine-treated patients: a comprehensive meta-analysis of observational studies. Psychological Medicine 2020, Vol 50;583–594.

5 Nielsen et al. Psychiatrists’ attitude towards and knowledge of clozapine treatment. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2010, 24(7): 965–971.