BD GasPak EZ CO2 pouch system

The BD GasPak EZ CO2 pouch system provides a controlled CO₂-enriched atmosphere for culturing organisms such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) that grow better in elevated carbon dioxide conditions. The system does not need an external CO₂ cylinder, water activation or a catalyst, and there is rapid activation once the sachet packet is opened.

Instructions for use

1. Place the labelled inoculated plates inside the GasPak pouch.
   
   
2. Take an indicator vial from the box.
3. Grasp the middle of the clear tube with thumb and forefinger and squeeze gently to break the ampule inside the tube. Caution: break the ampule close to its centre and once only – do not repeatedly manipulate the vial as the plastic may puncture and injury could occur.
4. Shake the vial well to disperse the glass and ensure correct activation.
5. Place the Indicator vial alongside the plates in the pouch.
6. Prepare one BD GasPak™ CO2 generating sachet for each GasPak pouch:
   1. Remove the outer foil packaging from the CO2-generating sachet. When the sachet is removed from the outer wrapper, the sachet becomes activated by exposure to air.
   2. Place the activated sachet in the GasPak pouch with the plates. The sachet should be placed between the plates and the outer wall of the pouch.
      
      
7. 
8. Close the pouch by pressing the zipper part of the pouch together.
   
   
9. Attach a document envelope to the GasPak pouch and place the request form inside the document envelope.
10. Incubate the BD GasPak EZ Pouch System for a minimum of 18 hours at 35–37°C before sending to the laboratory.

Important notes

• Each GasPak pouch will hold up to a maximum of 4 petri dishes.
• Each pouch should contain plates from ONE patient only. Do not mix plates from different patients in a pouch.
• Indicate the site sampled on the label using the first letter of the site, e.g.
  • T (throat),
  • U (urethra),
  • V (vagina),
  • R (rectal).
• Do not place patient labels on the lid of the plate or wrap them around the plate and lid. Please label the back of the agar plate itself.
• Use an adhesive document envelope and stick to the outside of the GasPak pouch once assembled. Place the patient's request form inside the document envelope. Do not put the form inside the pouch. 

Components

• BD GasPak EZ REF 260684 (contains 20 BD GasPak pouches and 20 BD GasPak CO2 sachets)
• BD CO2 Indicators REF 271055 (contains 50 indicator vials and snapping device).
• GoSecure Document Envelope – Document Enclosed, Peel & Seal, C5 (Pack of 1000) Product code: BLK71873

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