102
Discordant Results
Review differences that can be
expected when comparing
results from same system, from
different systems, etc.
Questions to ask:
1. Was sample collected and handled properly?
2. Was the same sample used for both in-house and outside lab analysis?
3. Different blood draw and/or different tube?
4. Could the sample have been switched with another patient?
5. Could discordance be due to age changes during shipping or time periods
between blood draw and analysis (RBC swelling, platelet clumping,
deterioration of WBC for differential)?
Re-analyze and/or
redraw sample.
Is sample
pathological?
Examine blood film
Are all parameters
discordant?
Are
WBC & HGB both
high or both
low?
Are controls
within range?
Go to control out of
range Troubleshooting
protocol
YES
NO
YES
Was calibration
recently
performed?
Perform Clot Prevention
procedure and
re-analyze sample.
Was calibration
protocol followed
correctly?
YES
Repeat using correct
procedure
Were all
parameters low?
NO
NO
Is monthly or 6-
month maintenance
due?
Perform
Maintenance
Are results still
discordant?
NO
YES
NO
YES
YES
NO
DONE
Are reagent
levels ok?
Change out
reagent and re-
analyze sample.
NO
YES
Is HCT low
compared to
spun HCT?
Check that sample is
mixed correctly and no
hemolysis or lipemia is
present.
Is MCHC
out-of-range?
Verify that sample is
mixed correctly and tube
has correct ratio of blood
to anticoagulant.
Is PLT
out-of-range?
Is HGB
out-of-range?
Wait 2 minutes
and then run a
background count
Are
RBC & PLT both
high or both
low?
1. Check reagent level.
2. Run [Orifice Clean] cycle
from Service Menu (possible
blockage of aperture)
3. Check if monthly or 6-month
maintenance is due.
Is WBC
out-of-range?
1. Verify by looking at blood film.
2. Check sample for clots.
3. Remix and check correct
sample handling followed.
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
Contact Service
Representative
NO
YES
YES
Are
RBC and HGB
both low?
NO
Contact Service
Representative
Is MCV
out-of-range?
Is HCT
out-of-range?
Go to ’Are both RBC
and HGB low’ below.
YES
YES
NO
NO
YES
YES
1. Verify by looking at
blood film.
2. Check sample for clots.
3. Review PLT histogram.
(verify bell-shaped curve)
Run a
background
count. Values
OK?
NO
YES
NO
NO
YES
Is RBC
out-of-range?
NO
YES
Go to High Background
Troubleshooting protocol
Summary of Contents for M16C-US
Page 1: ...Medonic M series...
