Hemoglobin, electrolytes, and other major clinical laboratory analytes as measured with a physician's office analyzer, the Kodak DT60.

Abstract

We evaluated the Kodak DT60 analyzer, to assess its suitability for use in the physician's office setting. The DT60 Analyzer is based on the same multilayer film technology as used in the Ektachem 400 and 700. We compared results obtained with DT60 for all the analyses currently available for use in this instrument (Na+, K+, Cl-, glucose, urea nitrogen, uric acid, total bilirubin, total protein, amylase, cholesterol, and triglycerides) with results from a Kodak Ektachem 700 Analyzer and from other laboratory procedures. Results for hemoglobin were compared with those from a Coulter Counter Analyzer. For all analytes, linearity of the standard curve for various dilutions of Ektachem calibrators was within the manufacturer's claims. CVs for within-run precision ranged from 0.8% to 5.4%, run-to-run CVs ranged from 1.6% to 7.5%. Except for amylase, comparisons with other methods were generally very good. The only interference we observed was that of hemoglobin in the bilirubin assay. Calibration was stable for longer than one month. We also compared the performance of a skilled operator with that of an unskilled operator and of a physician.