[Laboratory analyses in general practice. An evaluation of the Reflotron system]

The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the Reflotron system in the doctor's office. Blood samples from 247 patients were analyzed by a trained technician for one or more of the components B-Hemoglobin, B-Glucose, P-Cholesterol, P-Aspartate-aminotransferase and P-Uric acid. Capillary blood samples from the earlobe or the finger, venous blood and plasma were employed and the results obtained were compared with results obtained on corresponding samples analyzed at the Department of Clinical Chemistry. The results obtained with Reflotron correlated well with results obtained at the Department of Clinical Chemistry, and it was found that Reflotron gave accurate and precise readings. The results further indicated capillary blood from the earlobe to be a less suitable material than capillary blood from the finger and venous blood. In addition, B-Glucose determined on capillary blood from the finger showed higher results than venous blood for patients permitted to eat on the day of blood sampling. Reflotron can be used with both blood and plasma/serum. One can change between components without time consuming calibrations, and one can thus obtain the readings, while the patient is present in the doctor's office.