Evaluation of the YSI 2300 glucose analyzer: Algorithm-corrected results are accurate and specific

Objectives: To insure commutability (equivalence) between whole blood and plasma glucose values and to assess potential interferences in glucose oxidase methods. Design and Methods: We compared plasma glucose results by the Ektachem 700 analyzer to glucose results on whole blood by the Nova Stat Profile 6, and by the YSI 2300, both without hematocrit correction (YSIunc) and with two different hematocrit (Hct) corrections. The two correction methods were: (a) whole blood results multiplied by 1.11 (YSI1.11), and (b) whole blood results corrected for Hct with the programmed YSI algorithm (YSIcor). Several compounds were tested for interference. Results: 88% of YSIcor results agreed with plasma results within +/-5%, and 78% of Nova and 74% of YSI1.11 results were within this limit. YSIcor results were unaffected by Hct and were valid even when erythrocyte size was abnormal. At low Hct, Nova results were falsely decreased, while YSI1.11 results were falsely elevated. The Ektachem was most affected by ascorbic acid, and the Nova was especially affected by acetaminophen. Conclusions: The YSI algorithm-corrected whole blood glucose results were commutable with plasma results and the YSI was unaffected by the compounds tested, including acetaminophen and acetylsalicylic acid.