Usefulness of Fully Automated Hematology Analyzer XE-5000 for Analysis in Samples with Low Platelet Counts / 日本農村医学会雑誌

　　The platelet counts documented in most of the studies using the fully automated hematology analyzer XE-5000 are values measured by impedance technology (PLT-I). If blood specimens showing an anomalous particle-size distribution curve in the area where platelet counts are low are used (exceptionally low platelet count samples), the counting method is automatically switched over to an optical method (PLT-O). In the present study, we examined the usefulness of the XE-5000 by comparing PLT-I with PLT-O, using blood samples with low platelet counts collected from patients who visited our hospital between January 1 and March 31, 2012. Dilution linearity left nothing to be desired in either of the two, but simultaneous reproducibility was higher in PLT-O than in PLT-I. The correlations of PLT-I and PLT-O with visual counts were high, working out at r＝0.889～0.984. In the exceptionally low platelet count samples, the correlation coefficient was high in PLT-O than in PLT-I. The cases showing low platelet counts frequently presented giant platelets and/or red cell fragments. Therefore, measuring the samples with low platelet counts requires a high degree of precision. In the samples with exceptionally low platelet counts, PLT-O exceeded PLT-I in simultaneous reproducibility and correlation with visual counts. Thus, our study demonstrated the usefulness of the XE-5000 that could enumerate PLT-O automatically and speedily.

Implementation of Glucose Monitor System Following Introduction of Automated Ordering System / 日本農村医学会雑誌

Aichi Koseiren-Aihoku Hospital has implemented a New Glucose Monitoring System,using Precision PCx and its data management application, QC Manager (both Abbott Japan), for outpatient testing. It utilizes the advantages that have come with the introduction of the Ordering System. The new system has automated a great portion of glucose monitoring workflow and reduced the human work, and consequently, the potential risk of malfunction due to human errors. The system has been designed and developed to meet the following criteria; To be able to fully utilize the potential capabilities of the Ordering System (Barcode recognition of test samples); To be capable of transferring test results automatically to the Laboratory Information System without being handled by human; To improve the productivity as a whole system; To possess the precision and accuracy;and To be handled easily for bed-side use.