We have two Sysmex analyzers that offer the automated retic count so one is always the back-up to the other and we perform the analyzer to analyzer correlation twice per year.  We are rarely performing manual retic counts except for surveys, so we’re having a tough time keeping the techs competent.  

 

I want to discontinue doing this test but the former Hem supervisor has convinced staff that it’s a CAP requirement to correlate the analyzers retic count against the manual method at least once per year.   I am unable to locate such a requirement.  We don’t verify other automated counts (WBC, RBC, etc.) against a manual method.

 

I would love to hear form anyone else who has encountered this dilemma.

Thank you.

We are not CAP certified, jst JCAHO, but I would be surprised if they insisted on a regular correlation with a less precise manual method.  I doubt that you are using the hemocytometer to validate analyzer counts.

 

For surveys, shouldn't you be using analyzer results?

 

Scott

We perform automated and manual retic counts.  we have a pretty significant sickle cell population and we cannot discontinue the manual (sickle cells interfere too much with the automated count).  While I'm not sure what JC requirements are, I know NYS definitely requires correlation between methods (I tend to only remember the more stringent regs - which is usually NYS).  Since we run a patient as our control with each manual count, this isn't a problem for us.

 

But from what you're saying, it seems like you could get away with doing away with the manual all together.  If you no longer offer the manual method, then you don't have to correlate to automated.  You only have to correlate methods you currently have in use.

Yeah.  Good point about sickle cell patients though.  And any other patient that will mess up the automated retic.

 

Scott

I’ve done some internal research and we haven’t had an analyzer retic flag we couldn’t clear in over five years.   We have little to no sickle cell population in my area. 

 

With the complication in keeping staff competent- it may be more cost effective to send out a manual retic, if needed on these rare occasions.

We also bought Sysmex analzyers this year and discontinued the manual retics. The CAP survey cost us more money than we made. We only did a few here and there.