VALIDATION OF ELECTRONIC CELL COUNTS BY QUANTITATIVE BUFFY COAT ANALYSIS (QBC(R))

A total of 458 eight blood cell counts, accompanied by blood film revi ews of the same samples, were performed with an electronic cell counte r and with the QBC(R). In the great majority of cases, the QBC(R) gave fast and accurate control of the flags from the electronic counter, t hus avoiding the necessity for manual validation with its associated r isks of infection and contaminations. Furthermore, QBC(R) non readabil ity could be related to microcytosis and hypochromia and hence point t o possible cases of congenital or acquired haemoglobinopathy.