RESUMEN
Objective: To collect the necessary data for a perspective of Whole Blood Clotting Time (WBCT) practice in Thailand. Methods: In March 2007, 124 questionnaires were sent to laboratory members of the Thailand National External Quality Assessment Scheme (Thailand NEQAS) to obtain essential information about the WBCT practice. Results: From a dispatch of 124 questionnaires, 120 (96.77%) were returned. There were 101 (84.1%) hospitals performing WBCT in the laboratories and the mean number of WBCTs performed was 16.17 times/month. Eighty nine laboratories (88.11%) used the modified Lee-White methods. Seventy four laboratories (73.26%) used snake bite and other animal bites as the indication for WBCT. Thirty three laboratories (34.37%) had problems performing the WBCT. Conclusion: The WBCT methods among the practice of the Thailand NEQAS laboratory members were as various as problems concerning WBCT throughout Thailand. Their practice needs to be improved and standardized by proper education. It also emphasizes the need for an appropriate guidelines for WBCT in Thailand.
RESUMEN
Objective: To compare the performance of the Urised, an image-based automated urine sediment analyzer, against the manual method in urine sediment analysis. Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University in November 2008. One hundred and one urine samples were measured by both automated urine sediment analyzer “Urised” and manual method routinely done in the laboratory. Results from the both methods were compared for their correlation or agreement. Precision, linearity, and carry over of the Urised were also determined. Results: Urised and the conventional manual examination were in good correlations for the following parameters: red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), crystals, bacteria, and mucus. Although the squamous epithelial cell (SQE) analysed from both methods showed excellent correlation, they were not statistically significant. For pathologic casts, the statistics showed good agreement between the two methods, but the ability to detect pathologic casts of the Urised was less than the manual method. No yeast was found in any specimen included in this study, therefore this parameter could not be evaluated. Poor agreement between both methods for evaluation of small round cell (SRC) and hyaline casts was noted. Conclusion: Urised was reliable in measurement of some certain urinary parameters such as RBC, WBC, crystals, bacteria, and mucus. However, the examination by experienced technicians was suggested for SRC, hyaline casts, and pathologic casts.