Evaluation of the Sysmex CC-800. An automated eight-parameter hematology instrument.

An evaluation of the Sysmex CC-800 hematology analyzer (TOA Medical Electronics, Kobe, Japan, and distributed by American Scientific Products, Chicago, IL) was performed at University Hospital at Boston University Medical Center to assess the analytic performance and ease of use of the instrument. The Sysmex CC-800 is the first self-contained, fully automated, eight-parameter hematology analyzer. It can handle as many as 100 whole blood specimens without constant operator intervention. Stat and predilute modes are also available. The optional PDA-410 (particle distribution analyzer) was not evaluated in this study. Precision, linearity, carryover, and reproducibility of values over time in the automode were well within the manufacturer's specifications. The correlation study was performed with the existing Coulter S-Plus (Coulter Electronics, Hialeah, FL). The Sysmex CC-800 allowed us to expand the linear range without dilution for white blood cells to 160 X 10(3)/microL, hemoglobin to 26 g/dL, and platelets to 2,000 X 10(3)/microL. The samples on the automode exposed to normal laboratory atmosphere for up to 120 minutes showed no significant difference from baseline. The two instruments correlated well (r greater than 0.99). The authors concluded that the Sysmex CC-800 would be a reliable and time saving instrument in their laboratory.