Evaluation of the Technicon H.1 Hematology System

An evaluation of a new hematology analyzer, the Technicon H.1™,a in our hospital laboratory showed the precision, linearity, and carryover of the instrument to be well within acceptable limits. Duplicate methodology of the white blood cell count and hemoglobin determinations and system “flags” provide useful troubleshooting mechanisms. A new feature is the morphology interpretation derived from computer analysis of the red blood cell volume and density histograms, which has the potential of giving a reproducible report of red cell abnormalities. The ease of personnel training with this analyzer, its minimal maintenance, and its low cost of operation are positive factors. These aspects are an improvement over earlier Technicon hematology analyzers.