The agreement between hematological indices obtained from two laboratories

Agreement between hematological indices obtained by different laboratories has been shown to be unsatisfactory in the past. Objectives : To evaluate the agreement between the hemoglobin concentrations (Hb) and between the hematocrits obtained from two laboratories. Method: Consecutive pregnant women (n = 350), with gestations between 12 to 20 weeks, presenting to the Academic Obstetric Unit at the Teaching Hospital Mahamodera Galle (THMG), from 10 November 2014 to 13 January 2015 had their Hb and hematocrit measured by flow-cytometry and hydro-dynamic focusing methods at the Durdan’s Hospital Laboratory, Galle (DHLG) and the colorimetric method at the laboratory of the THMG (THMGL). The agreement between the Hb values and between the hematocrit values obtained from the two laboratories were assessed by comparison of means, Pearson’s correlation, and the calculation of the limits of agreement and the clinical limits of indifference. Results: No significant differences were seen between the mean Hb values and between the mean hematocrit values obtained from the two laboratories. Strong, positive correlations were seen between the Hb values as well as between the hematocrit values obtained from the two laboratories (r =0.86, p 10% were seen in 6.6% of results Conclusion: Although there was good agreement between the Hb values as well as between the hematocrit values obtained from the two laboratories, individual differences of > 10% were seen in 6.6% of cases.