Evaluation of the BT-50 Automatic Quality Control Unit on the XN9000 Hematology Analyzer

This study aims to explore the application of BT50-based automatic quality control in the XN9000 hematology analyzer line, comparing its benefits and limitations with manual QC procedures, and to identify potential improvements, thereby providing a reference for the development of automated QC in clinical laboratories.

Both manual and automatic QC procedures were performed for blood cell analysis. Manual QC data (January 1, 2024, to July 31, 2024) and automatic QC data (August 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025) were collected from the Department of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. SPSS 18.0 software was used for the statistical analysis. The parameters analyzed included the coefficient of variation (CV), daily QC completion time, first sample review time, and staff workload.

(1) Compared to manual QC, no statistically significant differences were observed in the CV values of any parameters between the two methods (Mann-Whitney U test, p > 0.05 for all). (2) The median completion time for automatic QC was 42 min earlier than that for manual QC, with automatic QC finishing at 07:48:47 (IQR: 07:47:55, 07:48:46) and manual QC finishing at 08:30:34 (IQR: 08:24:17, 08:37:32). (3) With a daily work start time of 08:00, the median first sample review time was advanced by 20 min under automatic QC, with manual QC reviewed at 08:48:00 (IQR: 08:36:00, 08:50:30) and automatic QC reviewed at 08:28:00 (IQR: 08:21:30, 09:07:30). (4) The automatic QC system significantly reduced the number of manual steps, including those for storage, rewarming, mixing, and post-analysis storage.

Implementing the automatic QC system facilitates earlier report review, reduces workload, enhances operational efficiency, and maintains CV values within acceptable laboratory standards.