Laboratory Evaluation of the STA Satellite Benchtop Coagulation Instrument

Abstract

Objective: The STA Satellite hemostasis system was evaluated for its ability to provide routine coagulation test results (ie, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, and D-dimer). Two methods were evaluated, namely, mechanical clot detection (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen levels) and immunoturbidimetry (D-dimer levels). Methods: Patient specimens received by the clinical laboratory were assayed on the STA Compact coagulation analyzer. Specimens with sufficient plasma volume after analysis and release of results were reanalyzed on the STA Satellite. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the STA Satellite performs with precision within accepted ranges, provides results that correlate to those generated by the STA Compact, and yields an acceptable turn-around time for results for the small hospital or clinic.