Reliable urine analysis in the management of hypertensive pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the intra- and inter-observer precision of the Clinitek 50 automated urinalysis system.


METHODS
A teaching hospital.


METHODS
Urine samples were tested by seven operators with Multistix 8SG reagent strips, in duplicate and in replicates of five by the same operators, and by groups of four operators on the same samples. Precision was assessed using true urine samples and Chek-Stix control strips.


RESULTS
All 32 samples tested in duplicate and in replicates of five agreed to within one colour block by between 99.4 and 100% for all eight analytes. Seven samples tested by four different operators also gave 100% agreement to within one colour block for nearly all analytes. All operators found the Clinitek 50 system to be quick and easy to use.


CONCLUSIONS
The Clinitek 50 automated urinalysis device demonstrates high intra- and inter-observer precision for duplicate, multiple replicate and multiuser testing with consistent performance. There is potential to improve antenatal care by introducing this technology into hospital or home-based care.
Bell
S C
SC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Leicester Medical School, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester, LE2 7 LX, UK.
Armstrong
C A
CA
Shennan
A H
AH
Boyce
T
T
Halligan
A W
AW
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy* / Q000652:urine; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000628:therapy* / Q000652:urine; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011934:Reagent Strips
D011934:Reagent Strips