Evaluation of the monocyte channel of the Hemalog-D: correlation with visual microscopy.

Poor correlation between Hemalog-D and standard microscopy monocyte counts has been reported. To achieve a better correlation between the monocyte figures of the two systems, the Hemalog-D includes an alarm signal: the remainder. The machine monocyte count can be adjusted to approach the visual count: if the remainder is greater than +5, add the machine remainder to the machine monocyte count; if the remainder is between -5 and -10, subtract the machine remainder from the Hemalog-D monocyte count. This simple addition or subtraction of remainders expands the range of white cell differential counts which can be accepted from the Hemalog-D without subsequent visual microscopic study of blood films.