Q&A column

Create PDF

An example of how to calculate productivity parameters for immunoassay analyzers was published by Hendriks, et al. The parameters can be used to improve throughput and workflow. Furthermore, most instrument vendors advertise throughput values for their analyzers. These values can be used to compare potential throughput to actual throughput and may pinpoint inefficiency in an operating system.

Hendriks HA, Kortlandt W, Verweij WM. Standardized comparison of processing capacity and efficiency of five new-generation immunoassay analyzers. Clin Chem. 2000;46(1):105–111.

McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Optimizing laboratory workflow and performance. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. Elsevier; 2022:13–21.

Joshua W. Davis, MD
Assistant Professor of Pathology
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Bethesda, Md.
Cytopathology Fellow
Brooke Army Medical Center
San Antonio, Tex.
Former Junior Member
CAP Clinical Chemistry Committee

Sridevi Devaraj, PhD, DABCC
Medical Director, Clinical Chemistry and Point of Care Technology
Texas Children’s Hospital and Pavilion for Women
Professor, Pathology and Immunology
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Tex.
Member, CAP Clinical Chemistry Committee

Submit your pathology-related question

Submit your pathology-related question for reply by appropriate medical consultants. CAP TODAY will make every effort to answer all relevant questions. However, those questions that are not of general interest may not receive a reply. For your question to be considered, you must include your name and address; this information will be omitted if your question is published in CAP TODAY.