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Does anyone recommend a moderately complex CBC (3-part or 5-part) instrument that is low-maintenance? We are looking for our special pathogens lab. The device will not be used often, beyond regular QC and proficiency testing, hence low maintenance.
I use the Sysmex Poch-100i which has a CBC and 3 part diff. Neutrophils, lymphocytes, and then a "mixed" field for other granulocytes and immature cells. We use this in our High Risk (special pathogens) laboratory here at DH. We don't report the "mixed" as our medical director didn't approve validation, but it works well and uses two reagents; a lysing reagent and diluent. Has three levels of quality control. I've been using for over 8 years and like it. Happy to discuss in more detail if you'd like Jacob.Fray@dhha.org
I would recommend the Coulter DXH520. I worked at a moderately complex lab using this instrument for around 3 years. It does perform a 5 part diff. Very user friendly and very reliable. We didn't even keep a service contract on these instruments throughout our entire system and I never needed to call for maintenance. QC was very reliable, never had to order additional QC for troubleshooting or QC outages. Only three reagents and very minimal maintenance. If I recall daily maintenance was running a startup, QC, and shutdown. Monthly was a bleach cycle and filter clean. Calibration every six months which was always straightforward and lubricating some pistons annually. There was no need to have a service rep do the annual PM, I did that myself.
I just finished validating the PixCell HemoScreen for one of our UCCs. It's a neat little analyzer with almost no maintenance. Do a shutdown/startup weekly and change a filter every 6 months, that's it. It performs a CBC with 5 part diff in a cartridge. No reagents required; all reagents are in the cartridge. Cartridges are stored at room temp; QC is refrigerated. Samples can be either fingerstick or venipuncture.
For what you are looking for I also like the PixCell HemoScreen. As a distribution rep, we work with a lot of Vendors and this is indeed a slick unit.HemoScreen+Brochure.pdf
For a special pathogens case, I do like the cartridge-based testing of the PixCell. Post-testing decontamination much more straightforward. Testing is expensive per test, but sounds like volumes will be low. Have fun!
I work for PixCell as a Clinical Applications Specialist, but I do like the HemoScreen it a lot for a special pathogens/biocontainment use-case. I worked at Johns Hopkins in their Biocontainment Unit for a few years and used the poch-100i. I think the HemoScreen is a lot better compared to it since it has less maintenance and reagents to keep track of.