Analyte comparisons on the Coulter Dacos and Kodak Ektachem DT-60 clinical chemistry analyzers

Eighteen analytes were compared using the Coulter Dacos and Kodak Ektachem DT-60 chemistry analyzers. All analytes were significantly linearly related. Correlations were excellent for fifteen analytes (r > 0.95); the correlations for sodium, chloride, and total protein were less than 0.95 but greater than 0.90. Several analytes had slopes significantly different from unity which was likely related to methodological differences. Regression equations are presented for the conversion of data generated using the Kodak Ektachem DT-60 to Coulter Dacos values so that, in the University of Guelph clinical pathology laboratory, one set of reference intervals serves both instruments. These data are directly applicable only in the laboratory in which they were developed. They should not be utilized directly in other laboratories, but can be used as general guidelines until confirmatory studies are done.