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Initial performance evaluation of the UniCel ® DxH slide maker/stainer Coulter ® cellular analysis system
Author(s) -
Brown W.,
Keeney M.,
Hedley B. D.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international journal of laboratory hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.705
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1751-553X
pISSN - 1751-5521
DOI - 10.1111/ijlh.12150
Subject(s) - repeatability , hematology analyzer , medicine , blood film , external quality assessment , enumeration , nuclear medicine , pathology , chromatography , chemistry , mathematics , malaria , combinatorics
Summary Introduction Despite the advancements in instrumentation within hematology laboratories, there is still a need for review of a peripheral blood film ( PBF ). For a thorough PBF evaluation, it is critical that a well spread and stained film is available. Methods In this study, we evaluated an automatic slide maker/stainer ( D x H ‐ SMS , B eckman C oulter) compared with manually prepared blood films on 124 normal and abnormal samples. The primary goal of the study was to determine whether or not the D x H ‐ SMS was able to consistently and reproducibly prepare and stain blood films of exemplary quality, without carryover between specimens. Additionally, repeatability of white blood cell distribution, comparability of morphology to reference methodologies, and grading of acceptance criteria outlined in the CLSI document H 20‐ A 2 were assessed. Results Carryover was not an issue and repeatability was within expected limits. There was excellent agreement of the 5‐part differential between the automated blood films made by the D x H ‐ SMS compared with the manually prepared reference blood film. There was no difference in identification and enumeration of blasts, variant lymphocytes, or nucleated red blood cells ( P < 0.05). Red cell morphology showed excellent agreement. Conclusion Blood films prepared by the D x H ‐ SMS are of excellent quality, reproducible, and compare well with manually prepared slides. Introduction to our laboratory has improved and standardized slide quality.