Performance Evaluation of Microhematocrit Centrifuge in the Primary Care Units in Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

       Packed red cell volume (Hematocrit) test is performed routinely in primary care units (PCU) by using microhematocrit centrifuge. According to Ministry of Public Health guideline for medical laboratory in primary care unit the performance of equipment is an important factor that could aff ect the test result. To ensure the quality of test, the Regional Medical Science Center 2; Phitsanulok, developed the project to evaluate the eff ectiveness of the microhematocrit centrifuge used in primary care units of Phitsanulok province during fi scal year 2014. One hundred and forty microhematocrit centrifuges from 120 primary care units were assessed for the round per minutes (rpm) and timer used. The results showed that 75.7% of the centrifuges passed the test criteria while 24.3% failed to meet the round speed criteria due to an old condition and defi ciency of an equipment. Consequently, the performance of the microhematocrit centrifuge was inaccurate. Thus, operator of PCU regular calibration and maintenance should be planned to ensure the reliable test result.