Comparative analysis of two rapid, automated methods for determining aminoglycoside levels

Two rapid automated methods, the Syva EMIT Autolab 6000 (Syva Corp., Syntex Diagnostics, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) and the Abbott TDX (Abbott Diagnostics, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) systems, for determining amikacin, gentamicin and tobramycin levels in serum were evaluated for accuracy, reproducibility, and cost. Both methods had a high degree of accuracy and reproducibility in assaying gentamicin, amikacin, and tobramycin. The Abbott TDX required an average of only 1 min and 43 s for a single assay compared with 4 min and 15 s for the Syva EMIT automated system. Excluding the capital cost of equipment, the cost per assay by the Abbott TDX was +3.55 Canadian compared with +3.00 Canadian with the Syva EMIT automated system. Both systems performed well during this evaluation in a general diagnostic laboratory, but the Syva EMIT required more daily maintenance than the Abbott TDX system.