Medical and economic evaluation of an integrated system of automated analysis in cellular hematology (Sysmex HST-330)

Abstract

To assess the benefits of an integrated hematology system in the day-to-day running of a specialized university hospital laboratory the authors tested the Sysmex HST-330 system. Medical and economic evaluation sought to answer two questions: Does sample automation and use of such a system risk causing information loss prejudicial to patient care? Does it result in time-saving? The HST-330 was compared with the existing laboratory system by subjecting 1030 tubes to each work mode. With no loss of quality in medical results, the HST-330 provided an excellent technical base for the development of an expert system managing environmental data. The larger the batch, the more impressive was the performance of the HST-330 (0.86 min per specimen versus 1.04 min with the reference system for a 50-tube batch), reducing operator time by 41.5%. The HST-330 saved time while maintaining medical quality.