Category ME L27 Comparison of Method for Hemoglobin Quantification: Electrical

Conductivity vs

Abstract The purpose of this study is to create an alternative method for analyzing

hemoglobin that is accurate, efficient, simple, safer and more cost

effective than the current gold standard (colorimetry). Blood samples were

collected in EDTA tubes from consenting individuals. Dilutions of blood in

de-ionized water were made and I used an electrical conductivity probe to

measure iron ions from the samples collected. The ADVIA 2120i

(colorimetric method), was then used to measure the same diluted blood

samples in normal saline. The data collected was compared with samples

of blood run on ADVIA 2120i.My project demonstrates that the conductivity

method is a simple and effective method for analyzing hemoglobin levels.

The results show that my method is comparable to the colorimetric method

in estimating hemoglobin levels. The conductivity method also has the

ability to quantify hemoglobin at higher dilutions, but this was not seen in

colorimetry.



In conclusion my method using the conductivity probe to measure Fe++

ions in the

de-ionized aqueous solution is just as effective as the colorimetric method.

It is also economical and does not use toxic substances such as

potassium cyanide, which is present in hemolyzing solution used in the

colorimetric method. Therefore the conductivity technique is a method that

can potentially be employed in areas that can't afford a colorimeter or it

can be used as a small hand held device at home for patients that need to

regularly check their hemoglobin.



Bibliography 1. McPherson R, Pincus M: Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by

Laboratory Methods,

21st Edition, Saunders Elseviers, 457-467,2007

2. Ackerman P: Electronic Instrumentation in the Clinical Laboratory:

Boston, Little Brown & Co.,

1972 p140

3. Bentley SA, Johnson A, Bishop CA: A Parallel Evaluation of Four

Automated Hematology

Analyzers. Am J Clin Path 1993; 100: 626-632.

4. Wintrobe MM. 'Clinical Hematology' 9th Edition. Philadelphia: Lea and

Febiger; 1993, pp 123

5. Hemoglobin estimation by the revolutionary colorimetric method of

Kennedy,

JAMA. 1944;126(2):95-96.
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