Sysmex Journal International
2014Vol.24 No.1
ReportEffects of Introducing the Fully Automated Integrated Urine Analyzer UX-2000 and Basic Evaluation of Its Performance
AUTHOR(S)
Yuichiro MIYAZAKI
Department of Clinical Laboratory, Meijo Hospital of KKR (Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations)
SUMMARY
Recent years have seen considerable advancement in automation of clinical laboratory tests. Automated analyzers used for urine analysis also have become faster, more multi-functional, and smaller in size. Such automation has enabled rapid analysis through simpler procedures. What is required of medical technologists working in such an environment is the appropriate use of the analyzers after understanding their characteristic features and the supply of high quality test data to the clinicians, by exploiting the advantageous features of the automated analyzers and manual methods.
Our hospital started to use a Sysmex fully automated integrated urine analyzer UX-2000 ( hereinafter "UX-2000" ) from April 2011. UX-2000 is a compact device wherein a urine test strip analyzer and a urine particle analyzer are integrated. It has a cross-check function and a reflex test function also as standard features. Thus, we can expect more efficient urine analysis and improved precision of testing because of the integrated data management.
For the staff of our clinical laboratory it was our first experience with a urine particle analyzer that used flow cytometry ( FCM ) as the principle of measurement. Therefore, we conducted various investigations to achieve efficient and appropriate utilization of the UX-2000. Furthermore, we examined the cross-check function, a characteristic function of UX-2000, to arrive at the optimum settings for it. We report here how urine analysis has changed in our laboratory during the 10 months after introduction of the UX-2000.
NOTE(S)
This article is translated and republished from the Sysmex Journal Vol. 35 Suppl. 2, 2012. (Japanese)