Clinical Chemistry, Vol 34, 2313-2315, Copyright © 1988 by American Association for Clinical Chemistry

Mobile laboratory unit based on the Kodak Ektachem DT system

AR Pettigrew, JM Orrell and MH Dominiczak
Department of Pathological Biochemistry, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.

We evaluated the Kodak Ektachem DT system (DT60, DTE, DTSC modules), using it as a mobile laboratory unit (MLU) in different hospital settings. Imprecision of 19 assays performed with the system and correlation with routine methods in the main laboratory were assessed. The system was then transported to different departments within the hospital, where limited test profiles were offered and the time taken to produce results was recorded. It proved practicable to offer a six- test electrolyte profile to a five-bed intensive-care unit but not to an 18-bed renal unit, where more selective analysis would be required. In a low-throughput outpatient clinic (five patients per hour) it was feasible to provide a six-test on-site profile on every patient, whereas the maximum number of tests was four in a high-throughput clinic (10 patients per hour). The cost of providing a flexible extra- laboratory biochemistry service must be balanced against the benefit of having on-site results, e.g., fewer outpatient-clinic visits.