Performance evaluation of automated fecal analyzer FA280 for occult blood test and stool examination

Abstract

Automated fecal analyzers have been employs in many laboratories in Thailand as a result of advances in artificial technology, the best of concentration technique, and the need to lean laboratory process while maintaining testing efficiency. However, the laboratory must evaluate the performance of fecal analyzer before implementation. This study evaluated the effectiveness of automated fecal analyzer ORIENTER FA280 in terms of process reduction, and performance for red blood cells, white blood cells, yeast identifications, and occult blood test. Overall, the utilization of the ORIENTER FA280 could minimize the effort from 8 to 3 steps, specifically the sample preparation processes. The agreement for red blood cells, white blood cells and yeast ranged between 0.37 and 0.45 when compared to normal saline simple smear technique (n=300), showing moderate agreement. This is owing to the enhanced detection intensity of ORIENTER FA280. Nonetheless, the difference was only one level higher, which was acceptable for qualitative detection. The agreement between ORIENTER FA280 and simple smear technique for parasite identification, as well as the agreement between ORIENTER FA280 and Boson Biotech for occult blood test, was almost perfect (kappa = 0.82 and 0.93, respectively). On the other hand, ORIENTER FA280 provided the better performance for larva and protozoa identification. All together, the usage of automated fecal analyzer ORIENTER FA280 offer several advantages both for process reduction as well as fecal sediment examination. Still, in order to get the most out of this technology, continuous verification should be performed by laboratory.