An evaluation of a whole-blood platelet counter

The performance of the platelet count in the hematology laboratory remains a laborious, time-consuming technic requiring separation of platelet-rich plasma, correction for leukocyte counts, lysis of erythrocytes, etc. The availability of an instrument that would count platelets in whole blood would appear to be a distinct advantage. One such instrument has been recently evaluated. The Ultra-Flo 100 Whole Blood Platelet Counter was found to be a reliable instrument for performing platelet counts on microspecimens of untreated whole blood. Counts were both accurate and precise, with no carry-over from specimen to specimen. The major advantage of the system is the speed with which platelet counts may be performed (25 sec) and results produced, a distinct advantage in those laboratories serving large outpatient hematology/oncology clinics. Six months of day-to-day experience in the laboratory has shown a favorable frequency-of-repair record, with little downtime.