Analysis of reticulocyte counts using various methods.
The precision and accuracy of manual reticulocyte counts using the Miller disc reticle, other ruled reticle and no reticle are compared with the reticulocyte results from the automated Hematrak 590 instrument. Two slides of each of 50 patient blood specimens were sent to the hematology laboratories of each of six participating hospitals.  In addition to between-method comparison (precision), the manual method results using the three different counting techniques were each compared with the Hematrak results to determine if there were significant differences in reported results (accuracy). Statistical analysis revealed that the Miller disc method was the most precise and accurate manual method as compared with the Hematrak. Methods without a Miller disc reported significantly higher reticulocyte counts.  Imprecision was also higher among non-Miller manual methods. By using the Miller disc, the accuracy and precision of manual methods may be increased to that of the automated Hematrak method.
Medical Technology Program, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 78284.
S B
SB
McKenzie
C A
CA
Gauger
D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012156:Reticulocytes