14-68
CELL-DYN
®
3200 System Operator’s Manual
9140181K—July 2002
Reticulocyte Package
Troubleshooting
Section 14
Operational Messages and Data Flagging
Dispersional Data Alerts
The result of each run (patient, control, or background) is reviewed within the
appropriate limits as entered by the operator or taken from the instrument’s preset
limits. If a result for a parameter exceeds these limits, they are flagged on the screen
and on the report. Dispersional Data Alerts are displayed or printed as follows:
Data Station Screen Display:
• Result(s) below lower limits shown in yellow
• Result(s) above upper limits shown in purple
Linearity Exceeded:
Result displayed as >>>>
Reticulocyte QC Log:
Result(s) outside limits underlined when printed
Reticulocyte Data Log:
Result(s) outside limits underlined when printed
Graphics Report:
Result(s) outside limits underlined
Instrument Alert Messages
Instrument Alert Messages are displayed when the instrument detects an
inappropriate condition during specimen processing. When necessary, data is
suppressed. When these messages occur, follow the instructions given, and take the
appropriate corrective action. When the problem is corrected, repeat the specimen.
Instrument Alert Messages with Suppressed Reticulocyte Results
Suppression of Reticulocyte results occurs when the sample run data acquisition
process exceeds normal parameters. When the Reticulocyte results are suppressed,
one of the following three alerts will be displayed in the lower left-hand quadrant
of the Display Monitor screen in the Reticulocyte Package and on the graphics
printout under the heading
ALERTS
.
Table 14.2 Instrument Alert Messages
Alert
Probable Cause
Corrective Action
Flow Error
NOTE: Alert occurs when
the average count rate
rapidly increases during the
Reticulocyte count cycle.
·
Air bubble
·
Hardware malfunction
1. Run a background count to cycle air through
the system.
2. Rerun the Reticulocyte specimen.
3. If alert still occurs, refer to
Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
;
Subsection:
Troubleshooting
Flow Errors
.
Too Few Events
NOTE: Alert occurs when
fewer than 3000 events are
counted during the
Reticulocyte count cycle.
·
Inadequate whole
blood sample mixing
- Improper pipetting
- Blood not stained
·
Cold Agglutinin
1. Prepare another dilution verifying proper
specimen preparation as discussed in
Routine Operation, Reticulocyte
Specimens, Running Specimens, Patient,
Specimen Preparation
within this chapter.
2. Verify Reticulocyte results by an alternate
method.
>>>>
(Chevrons)
·
The Reticulocyte
percentage exceeds the
reportable linear range.
1. Verify Reticulocyte results by an alternate
method.
