Hematological performance of a last generation automated blood cell counter: The Mindray BC-6800 Plus

Hematology analyzers produce reliable, reproducible, precise, accurate results, as well as a premicroscopic characterization of abnormal samples. We have evaluated the clinical performance of a new blood cell counter, which has been temporarily made available to our hematology laboratory.

Over four months, we analyzed with the Mindray BC-6800 Plus more than 1000 samples with a high incidence of hematological abnormalities, using recommended ICSH and CLSI protocols. We have also assessed flagging efficiency for abnormal cells and scattergram cell distribution.

From a quantitative point of view, our assessment has identified state-of-the-art level reproducibility, excellent linearity, stability over 48°C at 4°C for the conventional parameters, lack of carry-over (<0.2%), and comparability with the routine instruments. These features would make the instrument suitable for immediate and smooth introduction in the hematology laboratory. Flags for abnormal cells are efficient; flag for blast cells has high sensitivity and predictive value of negative results. Additional benefits are provided by a competent interpretation of cell distribution scattergrams in samples from patients with specific hematological disorders.

We have demonstrated good analytical and useful diagnostic performance of this new instrument, including effective selection of abnormal samples for informed microscope morphological analysis.