USE OF THE CELL-DYN-3500 IN A REFERENCE LABORATORY

The cell-Dyn 3500 (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Ill) is a high-th roughput hematology analyzer that includes laser technology, dual whit e cell analysis, and a closed-tube autosampler that can hold up to 100 blood samples at a time. In this study, the Cell-Dyn 3500 was compare d with the Coulter STKS (Coulter Electronics, Hialeah, Fla) for its us e in a reference laboratory setting. Among 367 samples tested in paral lel, the Cell-Dyn 3500 did not differ statistically from the STKS. The STKS required 29 (8%) of the samples to have manual microscopic analy sis; the Cell-Dyn 3500 required 32 (9%). The automated sample handler on the Cell-Dyn 3500 worked well. Instruments were compared statistica lly for several parameters and evaluated for consistency in analysis o f aged blood samples. Blood samples tested through 96 hours of the Cel l-Dyn 3500 showed stability of white cell counts through 48 hours; sta bility of red cell counts through 72 hours; and stability if hemoglobi n and hematocrit through 96 hours. The Cell-Dyn 3500 performance was f ound to be acceptable for a reference laboratory setting.