EVALUATION OF THE TECHNICON DAX 48 - A MULTIPARAMETRIC BIOCHEMICAL ANALYZER

The Technicon Dax 48 system is a random access, selective, multitest, open reagent autoanalyzer with a capability of performing up to 34 analytes (32 colorimetric + two ISE). The Technicon Dax 48 has been evaluated over a 3-month period. Twenty-one blood parameters and seven urinary parameters have been studied including substrates, enzymes and electrolytes, according to the 'Valtec' protocol from the French Society for Clinical Biology (SFBC) [1]. Comparison for accuracy was done with results from our routine analyzer. Praticability has been evaluated by methodology adaptation and effective throughput checking. Quality for spectrophotometer and temperature control is in agreement with required criteria. The overall design of the system, one sample, one flow cell, one reagent line and nozzle, one specific hydraulic circuit per analytical method, avoids, de facto, any contamination. Result analysis and interpretation show excellent analytical performance (precision, accuracy, analytical range). For the evaluated methods, 85% of the coefficients of variation are under 2%. Sample sizes of 500-mul are hardly compatible with pediatric samples. There are many advantages when using Dax 48: blood and urine samples can be accommodated at random and the superior quality of electrodes guarantees 20 000 tests. Automated procedures for start up, shut down, maintenance and an effective throughput 1.5 higher than our current routine analyser's (comparison system) makes Dax 48 more appropriate to handle a large workload. User-friendly software, ease of use and analytical performances make the Dax 48 system suitable for institutions with a large workload.