ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The usages for the i-STAT point-of-care testing (POCT) analyzer are increasing in emergency departments, intensive care units and dialysis units. We evaluated the performance of the i-STAT as a POCT analyzer. METHODS: We evaluated the analytical performance of the i-STAT through the measurement of sodi-um (Na), potassium (K), hematocrit, ionized calcium (iCa), PO 2 , PCO 2 and pH. We used two disposable cartridges including EG6+ cartridge for Na, K, hematocrit, PO 2 , PCO 2 and pH and EG7+ for iCa. RESULTS: The i-STAT revealed good linearity in Na and K except in hematocrit (r2 =0.9973, 0.9988 and 0.9179, respectively). In the precision study, the within-run and total-run coefficients of variation (CV, %) were within 10%. A high correlation was found between the i-STAT POCT analyzer and the analyzers in the central laboratory except sodium. In the study of the operator's effect, the intrapersonal CV and interpersonal CV were within 10% except in the PO 2 analysis. CONCLUSIONS: With its rapid turnaround time, small sample requirement, ease of operation, the i-STAT seems appropriate for clinical use in the management of patients in the emergency department, intensive care units and dialysis units where immediate access to clinically relevant laboratory testing is required.