HemoCue photometer: a better alternative of hemoglobin estimation in blood donors?

Abstract

To find out the prevalence of anemia in potential blood donors and to compare the direct cynmethemoglobin and HemoCue methods for assessing hemoglobin concentration. The study group included 540 potential blood donors; who were tested for their hemoglobin concentration in capillary blood samples by direct cynmethemoglobin and HemoCue methods. Average age of the potential donors was 39.2 year, with 505 males and 35 females. Mean hemoglobin concentration using the HemoCue was 13.2 ± 2.4 g/dl and 12.8 ± 2.3 g/dl with the direct cynmethemoglobin method (Table 1). The prevalence of anemia was slightly higher when using the direct cynmethemoglobin method (14.1%) as compared to HemoCue method (13.6%). The sensitivity and specificity for the HemoCue assessment was 94.1% and 95.2% respectively as compared to 90.1% and 94.2% respectively for the direct cynmethemoglobin method. Photometric hemoglobin determination (HemoCue) combines the convenience of onsite testing with sufficient accuracy and rapidity. We feel this is a better method for evaluating potential blood donors.