The impact of an integrated haematology screening system on laboratory practice.

The haematology laboratory of the Royal Postgraduate Medical School is required to handle an increasing workload with decreasing financial resources. An investment in technology was made in order to improve efficiency, meet future demands and to meet high technical standards. This required an increase in automation in the Full Blood Count section with staff redeployed into growth areas. The Sysmex HST 330, comprising an SE 9000 full blood count analyser, R 3000 reticulocyte counter, SP 1 film preparation unit, linked by a transport system was chosen as a comprehensive system. To fully exploit the reflex-testing capabilities and maximize the potential of the HST a computerized decision-making algorithm was developed. We have been able to evaluate the impact of a highly automated approach to FBC screening in a busy diagnostic laboratory.