Specific requirements for automation of immunoassays in 1990

Immunoassays are still gaining importance in the central laboratories of large hospitals (see table 1). This trend means that automated techniques are becoming more desirable for immunoassays and many manufacturers are developing new analytical systems. Therefore, it is valuable to examine the technical and analytical requirements for these devices. Very often new immunoassay systems are introduced with a test panel based on the most commonly used tests. In the central laboratory ofour hospital, about 70 various immunoassays are performed. The first 10 of the most frequently applied tests are listed on table 1. This list most probably differs from laboratory to laboratory and contains a very heterogenous group. Most laboratories would not like to buy a new system which could only deal with these tests and rather prefer analytical systems which perform complete panels of groups which are referred to specific disease entities such as complete thyroid panel or hepatitis panel, instead of a mixture of most commonly used tests (table 2).