Reliable urine analysis in the management of hypertensive pregnancies

Objective: To determine the intra- and inter-observer precision of the Clin itek(R) 50 automated urinalysis system. Setting: A teaching hospital. Metho ds: Urine samples were tested by seven operators with Multistix 8SG reagent strips, in duplicate and in replicates of five by the same operators, and by groups of four operators on the same samples. Precision was assessed usi ng true urine samples and Chek-Stix control strips. Results: All 32 samples tested in duplicate and in replicates of five agreed to within one colour block by between 99.4 and 100% for all eight analytes. Seven samples tested by four different operators also gave 100% agreement to within one colour block for nearly all analytes. All operators found the Clinitek 50 system t o be quick and easy to use. Conclusion: The Clinitek(R) 50 automated urinal ysis device demonstrates high intra- and inter-observer precision for dupli cate, multiple replicate and multiuser testing with consistent performance. There is potential to improve antenatal care by introducing this technolog y into hospital or home-based care. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.