Dry chemistry: an assessment of the BCL Reflotron system

The Reflotron dry chemistry analyser was assessed over a period of 9 months for the 11 available analytes: cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, urate, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma GT), haemoglobin, aspartate amino transferase (AST), urea, alanine amino transferase (ALT), bilirubin and amylase. In comparison with established laboratory methods, results showed good agreement with end-point methods, but for enzymes there were significant but explainable differences, reflected in the normal ranges quoted for both the Reflotron and laboratory methods. Imprecision observed was between 2% and 6.5% CV (between-day) for enzyme analyses and 1% and 6% CV for end-point methods. Analytical ranges for each method were similar to those expected, with the exception of ALT, where the range was lower, although adequate. Delay between sample application and measurement should not exceed 60 s. Variations in packed cell volume of whole blood samples does not appear to affect results adversely. In the hands of semi-trained staff the instrument produced adequate results.