I predict that the majority of labs that offer chlorides and bicarbonates
(as part of their routine electrolyte assays) use Beckman analysers. That
is the technology, rather than clinical need, plays a large part in this
choice. Perhaps Jeff Seneviratne could add an "analyser" column to his
useful table.
Bernard Rocks
Clinical Pathology Laboratories
Royal Sussex County Hospital
BRIGHTON BN2 5BE
UK
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> ----------
> From: Jeff Seneviratne[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 10 January 2001 18:39
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Chlorides and Bicarbonates
>
> Now that the discussion is dying down, here are a few facts and figures
> about those laboratories in the UK which are including chloride and/or
> bicarbonate in their "electrolyte profiles".
>
> These data are from the annual benchmarking exercises conducted by Keele
> University with the Clinical Benchmarking Company. (The latter is part of
> Newchurch Ltd who can be contacted on 0208 7833300 by those who want more
> information)
>
> In these studies, participants are asked which analytes are part of their
> routine profiles. These results are from the last three surveys, but it is
> important to realise that each sample poputlation is different.
>
> Year 1997/98 1998/99 1999/2000
>
> No. of Labs 87 96
> 93
>
> % Cl in profile 25 24
> 18
> % Bicarb in profile 43 33
> 35
> % both in profile 22 20
> 13
> % neither anion 54 63 60
>
>
> Thus chloride is raely added alone, but usually as a second anion when
> bicarbonate is included - presumably to calculate the anion gap. There may
> be a move away from inclusiojn of either anion, but this could be
> explained by variations in the populations form year to year.
>
> Data are also reported according to cluster groups: Teaching (T), large
> (A), medium (B) and small (C) labs. Percentages of labs in each group
> including chloride and bicarbonate is a follows.
>
> Chloride: 1997/98 1998/99 1999/2000
>
> T 42 30 16
>
> A 24 19 13
>
> B 20 17 15
>
> C 19 29 24
>
>
> Bicarbonate
>
> T 58 29 21
>
> A 47 36 33
>
> B 31 31 35
>
> C 44 38 43
>
>
> This seems to show that, latterly, it is not the teaching hosptials who
> are still calculating anion gap!
>
> Hope this information is of interest.
>
>
>
>
> Jeff Seneviratne, MSc, CChem, MRSC, FRCPath
> Consultant Clinical Scientist
> Biochemistry Department
> Manchester Royal Infirmary
> Oxford Road
> Manchester M13 9WL
> TEL: +44 (0)1 61 276 4584 FAX: +44 (0)1 61 276 4586
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
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