Microprocessor-based data processing and quality control in hematology

Routine hematological determinations with Coulter Counter model S instruments benefit from electronic data processing, and appropriate quality control is essential. The system described here is based on an INTEL 8008 microprocessor provided with options for handling sample identification numbers, duplicate print-out of results on self-adhesive labels, and zero-level quality control functions which utilize both patient samples and quality-control samples. The arithmetical means of the results of ten patient samples are calculated in real time for four parameters in whole blood. The running mean values of two of these parameters (MCVand MCHC) are suitable for zero-level process control. together with signalling of extremes. Daily mean values of patiant samples and quality-control samples are also calculated to check the stability from day to day. The microprocessor-based system is adequate for these functions and is relatively simple and inexpensive.