Point of Care Analysis of Hematology in the Operating Theater - a Prospective Observational Study of Accuracy and Feasibility.

BACKGROUND: Major surgery entails the risk of severe hemorrhage, and an optimized substitution with red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) transfusions necessitate rapid test results for RBCs/hemoglobin (HGB)/hematocrit (HCT), and PLTs. The HemoScreen (PixCell Medical, Yokneam Ilit, Israel) is an automated point-of-care hematology analyzer employing image analysis and single-use cuvettes. This study aimed to investigate the correspondence between the HemoScreen and standard laboratory testing (SLT) using the Sysmex XN-9000 in patients undergoing major surgery and to evaluate the feasibility in the operating theater. METHODS: A total of 145 blood samples from 91 adult patients were sampled during abdominal and orthopedic surgery and analyzed on both cell counters. Coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated, Passing-Bablok regression analysis was performed, and Bland-Altman plots were constructed. User experience was assessed through a questionnaire. RESULTS: The HemoScreen showed imprecision with a CV below 5%. Passing-Bablok regression showed positive proportional and negative constant errors for HGB and HCT, a positive proportional error for PLTs, but no dif-ference for RBCs. Bias in the Bland-Altman plots with limits of agreement: RBCs 0.09 x 1012/L (+/- 0.20 x 1012/L), HGB 1.1 g/L (+/- 8.4 g/L), HCT 0.4 % (+/- 2.6%), and PLTs 28.8 x 109/L (+/- 33 x 109/L). The analyzer was scored easy to use with shorter turnaround times compared to SLT. CONCLUSIONS: The HemoScreen is feasible and provides rapid test results with acceptable accuracy for the evaluated application but the two methods cannot be regarded as interchangeable based on the results in this study.