title: Cost effective improvement in the protocol for detection of haemoglobin variants -a step forward in quality assurance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report the results of a cost effective improvement in the protocol for detection of haemoglobin variants which incorporates the findings of peripheral blood film along with the results of HPLC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of n = 10,844 samples were received from January 2011 till August 2011. Diagnosis of haemoglobinopathy was made in n = 1123 samples while other abnormalities included iron deficiency anaemia, megaloblastic anaemia, malarial parasite, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and G6PD deficiency (n = 2473).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We diagnosed 23% of abnormalities other than haemoglobinopathy by reviewing peripheral smear of samples received for detection of haemoglobin variants. This resulted in providing proper diagnosis to the referring physician without increment in cost.
authors: Department of Pathology and Microbiology/Oncology, The Aga Khan University and Hospital, Stadium Road, P.O Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan. natasha.ali@aku.edu
authors: Natasha
authors: N
authors: Ali
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Khurshid
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006453:Hemoglobinopathies / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins
references: Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2011 Sep;42(5):1224-32
references: 22299449
references: Clin Chem. 1998 Apr;44(4):740-8
references: 9554484