A survey of australian red cell reference intervals

Abstract

Aim A survey was conducted across Australian laboratories in December 2012 to examine haematology reference intervals (RIs) and how they are determined. The scope included: • laboratory demographics (location, size/throughput, network), • RIs for the full blood count and selected derived parameters • frequency of revision of RIs • source, statistical approach, uncertainty of measurement (UM) • pregnancy values, paediatric/adult cut-off • haematology profiles reported • use of new/extended parameters. Methods Laboratories enrolled in the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPA) Quality Assurance Program (QAP) were invited to participate in SurveyMonkey electronic data capture. Results 85 laboratories (17%) responded, with 88% belonging to a network. A large number of RIs were reported, but many did not significantly differ. Different RIs were reported for the same instruments, and most were derived from published material. Wide ranges were reported for UM. The definition of adult versus paediatric varied, with 60% of respondents using a cut-off of 14 years and the remainder using 18 years. Discussion We have demonstrated a wide range of RIs currently reported by Australian laboratories even though the actual numerical differences seem to fall within the uncertainty of the measured parameters. These ranges are statistically similar in many cases, suggesting harmonisation of haematology RIs could be considered.