Rapid complete blood count and C-reactive protein determination with the Horiba Microsemi analyzer: the experience in neonatal intensive care unit of Careggi University Hospital.

Unlabelled: Microsystems represent an alternative but proficient approach of analysis outside the laboratory, and their use could help in reducing the impact of pre-analytical errors, in particular in challenging newborn samples. The study purpose is to compare the Horiba Microsemi CRP LC-767G system for rapid 3-part complete blood count (CBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) determination with the laboratory reference systems (respectively Sysmex XN-9100™ and Roche Cobas® c702) in samples of adult patients and newborns hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) samples. The comparison between the analyzers was performed through Passing-Bablok regression analysis and Bland-Altman plot. One hundred eighty-three blood samples were analyzed. The regression analysis results, performed in the newborn (n = 70) and in adult (n = 113) populations, showed a good agreement between the instruments. The evaluation of the Bland-Altman plots showed comparable values of bias < 10% for most of the parameters, but not for MPV, lymphocyte, and monocyte count.

Conclusion: The comparison between the Microsemi CRP LC-767G system and the laboratory instrumentations demonstrated comparable results. The Microsemi CRP LC-767G system provides reliable analytical data and faster turnaround time, particularly useful in NICU.

What Is Known: • Microsystems for point-of-care testing (POCT) represent an alternative but proficient approach of analysis outside the laboratory, in order to perform a rapid, safe, and exhaustive evaluation for critical patients' management, acting as a valid support for treatment in acute care.

What Is New: • The Microsemi CRP LC-767G system can represent an alternative but effective testing approach outside the laboratory, particularly in NICU, to reduce the impact of pre-analytical errors on newborn samples.