title: Analytical performance of a dry chemistry analyzer designed for in-clinic use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Heska Dri-Chem 4000 uses dry slide technology to evaluate serum or plasma. No previous independent performance evaluation is published to the authors' knowledge.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives were to (1) characterize analytical performance of a Dri-Chem 4000 by measuring precision and bias, (2) compare analytical performance of that Dri-Chem 4000 unit with a predetermined quality requirement, and (3) determine whether statistical QC of the Dri-Chem 4000 is possible using the 13s control rule.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen analytes were measured using plasma from dogs, cats, and horses. Coefficient of variation (CV), bias, and observed total error (TEobs ) were calculated. TEobs was compared with allowable total error (TEa ). Sigma metric and quality goal index were calculated where relevant. QC validation was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bias and TEobs calculated using quality control material (QCM) data were smaller than those calculated using method comparison data. Using TEobs calculated from species-specific CV and QCM-based bias, 100% of analytes in each species met ASVCP-recommended TEa . Desired error detection and false rejection rates were achievable using the 13s control rule and ASVCP-recommended TEa values for 9/16 (56%) of analytes in dogs, 9/14 (64%) of analytes in cats, and 8/13 (62%) of analytes in horses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Analytical performance of the Dri-Chem 4000 is comparable to that reported by other authors for other small benchtop biochemistry analyzers. Statistical QC using a simple control rule is possible for most analytes in dogs, cats, and horses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Flatland
authors.forename: Liesl C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Breickner
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Fry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D002415:Cats; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs; D006736:Horses; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems / Q000592:standards; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013045:Species Specificity
keywords: Canine; dry chemistry; equine; feline; method comparison; point-of-care