Your EPOC System Needs Attention.
We Can Help.
Whether you need a system manual, replacement components, a service plan, troubleshooting assistance, or a refurbished EPOC system, Block Scientific supports facilities running the Siemens EPOC nationwide.
over 40
Years in Business
up to 30%
Less Than OEM Pricing
>120
Reagent Applications
<24h
Response Time
ABOUT THIS PAGE
If you are here, something is going on with your EPOC system.
Maybe the Resource Guide disappeared after the last department reorganization and nobody has the troubleshooting section when they need it. Maybe the Reader is throwing iQC failures or Thermal Check errors and you cannot tell if it is the test card, the Reader, or the environment. Maybe the Host is not charging when docked, the Bluetooth connection between the Host and Reader keeps dropping, or your Wi-Fi integration to the EMR stopped working after a network change. Maybe you are managing multiple EPOC systems across departments and your consumables costs are higher than they should be. Or maybe you are evaluating whether to upgrade from the original EPOC Host to the NXS or simply add more units to your fleet.
Block Scientific is an independent laboratory equipment company with 40+ years of experience. We are not Siemens Healthineers and we are not affiliated with them. What we are is a company that knows point-of-care blood analysis platforms, with a Centers of Excellence designation for the EPOC system and nationwide support coverage.
We can help you with documentation, parts, service plans, troubleshooting, refurbished systems, trade-ins, and test card sourcing. Tell us what you need and we will get back to you within one business day.
DOCUMENTATION
EPOC Manual and Documentation Help
The EPOC system comes with a System Manual (available for both the original Host2 and the NXS Host), a Resource Guide covering hardware overview, sample processing, quality assurance, as-needed maintenance, and troubleshooting, and a CLSI Procedure Manual template. Siemens also provides training modules for system setup, wireless configuration, and test card handling. Product Update documents are issued periodically when Host or Reader features change.
These documents go missing, especially in high-turnover environments where EPOC systems move between units, departments, or satellite locations. If you need help locating a specific EPOC document, tell us which one using the form below. We will do our best to connect you with available resources or point you in the right direction.
PARTS
EPOC Parts Inquiries
The EPOC system has three primary hardware components: the Host (either the original Host2 running Windows Mobile or the NXS running Android 9.0), the Reader (which performs the electrochemistry and communicates with the Host via Bluetooth), and the single-use BGEM Test Cards. Common replacement and consumable needs include Readers, Host batteries, charging cradles, Host/Reader docking assemblies, and BGEM Test Cards. The Reader pairs with any compatible Host via Bluetooth, so if one component fails, you may not need to replace the entire system.
Block Scientific can help you identify the right component for your specific EPOC configuration and, in some cases, source it for you. Our primary focus is service, refurbishment, and full system support rather than individual part-by-part sales, but we are happy to look into availability and point you in the right direction.
If you are managing a fleet and seeing recurring issues with a specific component, we can talk through whether targeted replacements or a broader refresh makes more sense.
SERVICE
EPOC Service and Preventive Maintenance
The EPOC system requires minimal routine maintenance. There are no daily maintenance tasks comparable to a benchtop analyzer. The Reader should be cleaned regularly with 70% isopropyl alcohol pads, paying attention to the test card slot and any areas of dried blood or contamination. The Host battery and charging system should be monitored. Bluetooth connectivity between the Host and Reader should be verified periodically, and Wi-Fi network settings should be checked after any facility network changes.
Software updates for the NXS Host are managed through the settings menu. Block Scientific offers four service plan tiers.
Prepared
Covers low-use facilities with one annual PM, unlimited tech support, parts, labor, and travel.
Protected
Adds one-hour callback, 48-hour onsite response, and two repair calls per year.
Classic
Offers unlimited repair calls.
Proactive
Everything in Classic plus 24-hour onsite response.
All plans are provided nationwide and typically come in at up to 30% less than OEM pricing. If you manage multiple EPOC systems across departments, a fleet service agreement may be worth discussing.
TROUBLESHOOTING
EPOC Troubleshooting Help
The EPOC system performs three tiers of internal quality checks: initialization checks when the Reader connects to a Host, in-calibration checks when the test card is inserted, and during-measurement checks while the sample is being analyzed. Common error categories include iQC failures (sensors on the test card fail conformance checks during calibration), Thermal Check errors (E38, triggered when Reader internal temperatures deviate from expected values), sample injection errors (injecting too fast, too early before calibration completes, or too late after the 7.5-minute sample window expires), and Reader hardware errors that require repair. Bluetooth connectivity issues between the Host and Reader can also cause test interruptions.
Block Scientific cannot provide step-by-step repair procedures on this page for liability reasons, but our support team can talk through your symptoms and help determine whether the issue is card-related, Reader-related, environmental, or connectivity-related. If your EPOC system is currently out of service, note that in the form below and we will prioritize your request.
If your instrument is down right now and patient testing is affected, let us know in the form and mark the urgency. Downed instruments get priority.
REPLACEMENT
EPOC Refurbished Replacement Systems
When a Reader fails, when you need additional units for a new department, or when your original Host2 hardware is showing its age, a refurbished EPOC system from Block Scientific is worth considering. The original EPOC uses the same Reader and the same BGEM Test Cards as the newer NXS model. The only difference is the Host computer. Your clinical results are identical. Every refurbished system goes through our Centers of Excellence inspection process, including Reader calibration verification, Host functionality checks, Bluetooth pairing tests, and charging system validation.
Replacing an EPOC with another EPOC means your staff does not need retraining, your test card inventory stays the same, and your data management integration remains intact. Block Scientific also offers financing options and trade-in credit toward replacements.
See current Siemens EPOC blood analysis system availability and pricing.
BUY BACK & DISPOSAL
Sell, Trade In, or Dispose of Your EPOC System
If your EPOC system is being retired, replaced, or consolidated, Block Scientific can help. We purchase used EPOC systems at fair market value, whether fully functional or not. Working systems go back into service at other facilities. Non-functional units provide components for other EPOC deployments.
Block Scientific handles decontamination, pickup, and transport. Trade-in credit can be applied directly toward replacement systems. If you need units disposed of properly, we offer disposal services with full chain-of-custody documentation. Visit our equipment acquisition page for details.
COMMON SCENARIOS
What Is Going On With Your EPOC System?
Here are some of the most common reasons facilities reach out to us about the EPOC:
You need the System Manual or Resource Guide and cannot find it in your department.
The Reader is throwing iQC failures or Thermal Check (E38) errors during calibration.
The Host is not charging properly when docked in the Reader cradle.
Bluetooth connectivity between the Host and Reader keeps dropping during tests.
Wi-Fi transmission to your EMR stopped working after a network infrastructure change.
You need additional EPOC systems for a new unit or satellite location and want to compare refurbished pricing.
You are evaluating whether to stay with the original EPOC Host or move to the NXS.
OUR CAPABILITIES
How Block Scientific Can Help
Block Scientific is independent. We are not Siemens Healthineers and we do not represent them. What we offer is 40+ years of hands-on experience with clinical lab and point-of-care equipment, a Centers of Excellence designation for the EPOC system, and a nationwide support network.
Here is what we can do for you:
Documentation help
Help you locate EPOC system manuals, resource guides, CLSI procedure manuals, and training documentation
Parts guidance
Identify parts and components for your specific EPOC configuration and check availability
Service and PM
Provide service and preventive maintenance plans at up to 30% less than OEM pricing
Troubleshooting support
Talk through troubleshooting symptoms and recommend next steps
Refurbished replacement systems
Supply refurbished EPOC systems through our Centers of Excellence program
Equipment buyback and trade-in
Purchase your used EPOC systems at fair market value or apply trade-in credit toward replacements
Relocation and disposal
Handle disposal and decontamination with full chain-of-custody documentation
Reagents
Source BGEM Test Cards and consumables for ongoing EPOC operations
GET STARTED
Request EPOC Support
Fill out the form below and tell us what is going on with your EPOC system. Include the serial number if you have it. If the system is out of service, check that box and we will prioritize your request. A member of our team will follow up within one business day.
Facilities managing multiple EPOC systems can request a fleet evaluation. Let us know how many units you have and what you are dealing with.
Frequently Asked Questions
We can help you locate available documentation for the EPOC system, including the System Manual (for both the original Host2 and NXS Host), the Resource Guide, the CLSI Procedure Manual, and training materials. Tell us which document you need using the form above and we will do our best to connect you with available resources. Some documents are proprietary to Siemens Healthineers, but we will point you in the right direction.
No. Block Scientific is an independent laboratory equipment company. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized by Siemens Healthineers. We are experienced with the EPOC platform and have a Centers of Excellence designation for this system, but we operate independently. Many facilities choose independent service providers for cost savings, scheduling flexibility, and brand-agnostic support across their entire point-of-care fleet.
Yes. iQC failures can be caused by test card issues (storage conditions, expired lots, or card damage), Reader sensor problems, or environmental factors like temperature or humidity outside the 15% to 85% relative humidity range. Thermal Check (E38) errors indicate the Reader's internal temperatures are deviating from expected values. Our support team can walk through what you are seeing and help narrow the root cause. Use the form above and describe the error pattern.
Pricing depends on the specific configuration (original Host2 vs. NXS, Reader condition, included accessories) and warranty term. Contact us using the form above and we will provide a quote based on current inventory and your requirements. Refurbished systems from Block Scientific go through our Centers of Excellence inspection process and come with a warranty.
Yes. Block Scientific purchases used EPOC systems at fair market value, whether fully functional or not. Working systems go back into service. Non-functional units provide components for other deployments. Trade-in credit can be applied toward replacement systems. Contact us for a valuation.
Yes. The BGEM Test Cards are identical for both the original EPOC and the NXS model. Siemens continues manufacturing them. Block Scientific stocks them and can set up standing orders for your facility to simplify inventory management.
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
About the Siemens EPOC Blood Analysis System
The EPOC (which stands for Enterprise Point of Care) is a handheld, wireless blood analysis system designed for point-of-care testing in hospitals, emergency departments, ICUs, NICUs, operating rooms, and field settings. The system consists of three components: a Host mobile computer (either the original Host2 running Windows Mobile or the newer NXS Host running Android 9.0), a Reader that performs the electrochemistry and communicates wirelessly via Bluetooth, and single-use BGEM Test Cards. Each test card contains an array of sensors and sealed calibration fluid, requires no refrigeration, and measures 13 analytes simultaneously: pH, pCO2, pO2, sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, chloride, total CO2, glucose, lactate, BUN, creatinine, and hematocrit. Calculated values include bicarbonate, base excess, oxygen saturation, hemoglobin, anion gap, and eGFR.
The system delivers results in less than one minute from a 92 microliter whole blood sample (arterial, venous, or capillary). Test cards store at room temperature with up to five months of shelf life, eliminating cold chain logistics.
The Reader automatically calibrates each card over approximately 2 to 3 minutes before sample introduction, running internal quality checks at initialization, during calibration, and during measurement. Results transmit wirelessly via Wi-Fi to the EMR, LIS, or HIS in real time.
The EPOC platform was originally developed by Epocal Inc., a Canadian company that pioneered room-temperature-stable, single-card blood gas testing with smart card sensor technology. Siemens Healthineers acquired the platform and integrated it into their point-of-care portfolio alongside the RAPIDPoint and RAPIDLab benchtop blood gas systems. The original EPOC Host2 was the first generation. The NXS Host, running Android 9.0 with a higher-resolution touchscreen and enhanced security features, is the current generation. Both use the same Reader and the same BGEM Test Cards, so clinical results are identical regardless of which Host version is in use.
The EPOC's installed base continues to grow, particularly in critical care, neonatal, and emergency settings where bedside blood gas and metabolite results accelerate clinical decisions. Its single-card, room-temperature design and wireless connectivity make it attractive for facilities looking to simplify inventory and reduce transport delays. Common support needs include Reader troubleshooting (iQC failures, Thermal Check errors), Host charging and connectivity issues, test card sourcing, and fleet management for multi-department deployments.
Stop Searching. Start Solving.
You found this page because something is going on with your EPOC system. Whatever it is, documentation, parts, service, troubleshooting, replacement, or disposal, Block Scientific can help. Fill out the form, tell us what you need, and a member of our team will follow up within one business day.