Hematology Analyzers use impedance, conductivity, and multi angle laser scatter to provide CBC with five part differential, NRBC count, and reticulocyte analysis. Hematology Reagents are tracked by barcode for stability and calibration control.

An automated slide maker and stainer prepares peripheral smears when flagged for abnormalities such as immature granulocytes, blasts, platelet clumps, or delta check failures. Slides are stained, barcoded, and ready for manual or digital review. This standardizes smear quality and removes variability from manual slide preparation.

Technical Note: Flow cell and aperture baths require daily and weekly cleaning with hypochlorite. Protein buildup causes falsely elevated counts. Methanol fixative in the stainer must be replaced weekly.

A digital morphology system scans the smear at 100x oil immersion and creates a high resolution stitched image. AI pre classifies white blood cells and evaluates red cell morphology and platelet estimate.

Technologists review and confirm classifications on screen, with abnormal cells highlighted. Digital images reduce slide handling, support remote consultation, and allow retrospective review for oncology cases.

Technical Note: AI performance should be verified locally by comparing 200 normal and 200 abnormal slides with expert differentials. Focus calibration must be checked monthly using a stage micrometer.

Coagulation Analyzers support routine and specialized assays using optical detection for PT and aPTT and mechanical viscosity detection for turbid samples.

Coagulation Reagents include routine and specialty assays such as D Dimer, fibrinogen, and factor tests. Lot specific ISI values ensure accurate INR reporting.

Pre analytical checks verify sample volume and detect micro clots or fibrin. Heparin contaminated samples are flagged automatically. Pediatric reference ranges are applied where appropriate.

Technical Note: The mechanical channel ball bearing sensor requires enzymatic cleaning every 2000 tests. ISI values must be updated with each new reagent lot to avoid INR bias.

Urinalysis Analyzers combine dipstick chemistry with digital sediment imaging. Dipstick pads are read by reflectance photometry for glucose, protein, blood, leukocyte esterase, nitrite, and more.

Sediment analysis uses a flow cell and high speed camera to classify particles such as RBCs, WBCs, epithelial cells, casts, bacteria, and crystals. Urinalysis Reagents may be used for confirmatory staining.

Middleware cross checks chemistry and sediment results, holding discrepant cases for manual review. This reduces manual microscopy to below 10 percent while maintaining diagnostic sensitivity.

Technical Note: The flow cell must be cleaned daily with hypochlorite. The photometer should be calibrated weekly using a gray scale reference tile.

Autoverification rules use instrument flags, result limits, and delta checks to automatically release normal results.

Reflex algorithms trigger follow up actions such as smear review for low platelets, mixing studies for prolonged aPTT, or culture recommendations for urinalysis findings consistent with infection.

These rules standardize decision making across all shifts and ensure timely escalation of critical findings.

Technical Note: Autoverification rules must be reviewed annually by the Laboratory Medical Director. All changes must be validated before going live, and a full audit trail must be maintained.