Ensure reliability and cost-efficiency in decentralized diagnostic testing

With today’s customer-centric approach to healthcare, decentralized testing is growing rapidly. In such clinical settings, capillary samples are typically used. To meet this need, Boule Swelab Alfa Plus  and Medonic M32 hematology analyzers are equipped with a micro-pipette adapter (MPA) inlet.

Complete blood count from one drop of blood

The MPA method allows hematology testing from a simple finger-stick capillary sample taken directly from the patient. In about one minute, the analyzer reports a complete blood count including a 3-part WBC differential from one drop of blood.

Dr. Irlanda Mohd Idzham, Klinik Idzham Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia explains his use of the MPA functionality:

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” The small volume of capillary sample is important when handling infectious diseases. Capillary sampling is also less fearful for children, feeling more comfortable when holding them by the finger rather than grabbing their arm. Therefore, the MPA functionality is the most important feature of Swelab Alfa Plus. This instrument is also the smallest on the market, and easy to use. The results are accurate and consistent, which gives confident to the clinician. The capillary hook holder facilitates sample handling.”

Dr. Irlanda Mohd Idzham, Klinik Idzham Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Performing a fingerstick: what can affect the results

The relevance of using capillary blood in diagnostic testing is sometimes debated. For example, laboratory reference values are commonly set using venous blood and improper capillary sample collection method can cause discrepancies between capillary and venous blood values. Hence, the sampling procedure  is crucial and should ensure a good blood flow. Following general recommendations, results with capillary sample using the MPA inlet are comparable  to results with venous blood using the open tube inlet.

Cost-efficiency in hematology testing

Many clinical laboratories are challenged with high testing cost that reduce their margins. At the same time, an extensive list of reported parameters might be required for the specific clinical setting and an attractive test offering can be a prerequisite to stay competitive on the diagnostic testing market. Such laboratories might be referred to the use of a more expensive 5-part hematology system, although the larger part of incoming sample requests might be for CBC results only. For such scenarios, the combination of the less expensive 3-part instruments with a small point-of-care (POC) device, such as the spinit® system, can be the solution.

Testing cost for hematology analysis using a Boule 3-part hematology analyzer with spinit BC analysis included for 5% of all samples can be about half the testing cost compared with all samples tested using a 5-part analyzer. Additionally, the investment cost of a combination of the 3-part hematology analyzer and the spinit analyzer can be about half the cost of a 5-part analyzer.

Learn more – Download the full whitepaper to learn more about how to ensure reliability and cost-efficiency in near-patient diagnostic testing.