Evaluation of a new point of care automated complete blood count (CBC) analyzer in various clinical settings.

Background: WBC counts and differentials are currently performed on complex analyzers in either central or satellite laboratories. Rapid and easy to use point of care (POC) CBC testing can benefit certain outpatient clinical settings, where the greatest clinical need has been demonstrated.

Methods: We evaluated a new POC CBC analyzer Chempaq XBC (Chempaq A/S, Denmark) for hemoglobin, leukocyte counts and 3-part differentials and compared the results with established laboratory based Beckman Coulter LH750 analyzers. The performance of these POC analyzers was tested at multiple clinic locations as a part of regular care on both venous and finger stick blood samples.

Results: Method validation parameters including precision, accuracy and linearity studies are within the acceptable limits between POC and lab based analyzers. Method comparison studies at various locations showed good correlation at various clinical settings including ER, primary care, Ob/Gyn, ICU, Pedi clinic, Hematology-Oncology clinics, and in-patient ward's in venous blood samples. In addition, at the hematology-oncology clinic, the comparisons of venous as well as finger stick blood sample analyses showed good correlation.

Conclusion: The Chempaq XBC analyzer provides accurate hematologic results that can facilitate rapid quantitative assessment of CBC parameters and thus is clinically relevant, especially in outreach clinic settings and in critically ill patients.