An Evaluation of the AcT 5diff Cap Pierce Hematology Analyzer

Staffing constraints and cross-training of laboratory staff have made it imperative that we choose laboratory instruments that not only are user friendly and easy to use but also improve the efficiency of our current systems. Therefore, evaluations of any instrument should also incorporate a component that examines whether workflow can be improved by the use of the instrument being evaluated. In April and May 2001, MDS Laboratories in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, evaluated the Coulter AcT 5diff Cap Pierce (CP) hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, Miami, FL) using the laboratory’s current Coulter AcT diff as the comparator instrument. The evaluation protocol was created after literature was reviewed, and the leukocyte flagging efficiency was based in part on the National Committee of Clinical Laboratory Standards document, Reference Leukocyte Differential Counts and Evaluation of Instrumental Methods: Approved Standard (Villanova, PA: National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards; 1992. Document H20-A; vol 12, no. 1). Our study showed that the AcT 5diff CP analyzer was very user friendly and that its analytical performance compared well with that of the AcT diff instrument. Design improvements of the AcT 5diff CP analyzer that could improve the efficiency or workflow of the laboratory included bidirectional interface capabilities and expanded quality-control files. The clinical sensitivity of the instrument in relation to the population evaluated was also very good. In all, the study results indicated that the AcT 5diff CP analyzer could improve the overall productivity in most laboratories processing low volumes of hematology samples. Lab. Hematol. 2001;7:130-139.