Evaluation of a portable clinical analyzer in the pediatric emergency department: analysis of cost and turnaround time.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate a portable clinical analyzer (PCA) in the pediatric emergency department (ED), examining (1) turnaround time, (2) cost, and (3) sample amounts for PCA versus standard laboratory.

Methods: Twenty children were studied. Laboratory measurements were taken from the study group using PCA and central laboratory as the control.

Results: The PCA turnaround times were 54.2 minutes faster than the central laboratory. Cost was $1.65 less for the PCA. The PCA sample size was smaller (0.29 mL vs 2.62 mL).

Conclusions: Laboratory values obtained by PCA were available to treating physicians significantly faster than those from the central laboratory. The PCA costs less and uses a smaller blood sample than the central laboratory. Use of PCA technology has the potential to decrease laboratory turnaround time and cost. Further investigation on the influence of patient care is needed.