We evaluated a novel system designed for rapid, point-of-care measurement of sodium, potassium, chloride, urea nitrogen, glucose, and hematocrit. The i-STAT Portable Clinical Analyzer (PCA) system is composed of a hand-held analyzer and disposable cartridges. Sample analysis takes place in the cartridge, which contains a series of thin-film electrodes microfabricated on silicon chips. The PCA was evaluated for precision, accuracy, and utility in emergency department and stat laboratory settings. Precision did not differ significantly between these two locations, the CVs being as follows: sodium, 0.46-0.89%; potassium, 1.06-1.45%; chloride, 0.69-2.76%; urea nitrogen, 2.54-6.12%; and glucose, 4.39-5.19%. The assessment of accuracy was based on comparison of patients' sample values analyzed by the PCA and the Kodak Ektachem 700 (or the Coulter ST for hematocrit). Regression statistics were acceptable for all analytes except chloride, for which the regression data were influenced by the limited range of results. A difference plot of the chloride comparison showed that the bias rarely exceeded 5 mmol/L. Mean hematocrit values significantly differed between the PCA and the Coulter ST, apparently because of different calibration procedures.
