title: Are they microcytes or macrocytes? Can we do a better job?
abstract: As an attempt to improve accuracy in the grading of microcytes and macrocytes, a custom reticle was developed and evaluated. The evaluation looked at grading accuracy, reproducibility, speed, and opinion. In this study, the reticle improved the grading accuracy and reproducibility of graders who were "poorer performers." The reticle offered no advantage to the speed of the evaluation. The opinion survey indicated improved confidence with the reticle, and most of the participants found the device useful. The improvement to "poorer performers" is sufficient to warrant use in actual practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Haun
authors.forename: Argie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vivero
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Foley
mesh_terms: D000748:Anemia, Macrocytic / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014481:United States