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Counting platelets in platelet concentrates on hematology analyzers: a multicenter comparative study.
Pieter F van der Meer1, Margriet J Dijkstra-Tiekstra, Anne Mahon
1Sanquin Blood Bank North West Region, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.vandermeer@sanquin.nl
Transfusion
|October 29, 2008
Summary
Hematology analyzers show significant variability in counting platelet (PLT) concentrates, with results differing by up to 51%. A standardized method is crucial for accurate interlaboratory comparisons of PLT counts.
Area of Science:
- Clinical laboratory science
- Hematology
- Blood banking technology
Background:
- Hematology analyzers are standard for whole blood counts but face challenges with platelet (PLT) concentrates due to high PLT numbers and absence of red blood cells.
- This variability impacts quality control in blood centers, necessitating an evaluation of analyzer performance for PLT concentrates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the performance of currently used hematology analyzers for quantifying platelets in platelet concentrates.
- To assess the variability in platelet counting results across different instruments using standardized samples.
Main Methods:
- Fixed human platelet samples were prepared at seven concentration levels and a blank, then distributed to 68 laboratories for analysis on 89 hematology analyzers.
- Each sample was counted six times, with results reported for calculation of the overall group mean and percentage deviation per analyzer.
Main Results:
- Hematology analyzers exhibited a wide range of results, from 35% lower to 16% higher than the overall mean for platelet levels typical in blood banking (750 x 10^9 to 2000 x 10^9/L).
- Within analyzer groups, coefficients of variation were typically below 10%, suggesting instrument-specific characteristics cause observed differences.
- Similar performance was noted for both fixed and fresh platelet samples.
Conclusions:
- Significant discrepancies exist in platelet counts obtained from identical samples across various hematology analyzers used in different laboratories.
- The findings highlight the need for a gold standard method to ensure reliable and valid interlaboratory comparisons of platelet counts from concentrates.
