Evaluation of Three Hemoglobin Estimation Methods for Screening Blood Donors: An Experience in a South Indian Hospital

Background & Aims: Hemoglobin (Hb) estimation is one of the mandatory tests should be carried out on all blood donors before
accepting for blood donation to prevent collecting blood samples from anemic donors. Presently various methods are available for
pre-donation screening of donor hemoglobin. Total Hb concentration is calculated from measured absorbance at multiple
wavelengths. In this study we reviewed the performance of Compolab TS with automated SYSMEX XN 1000i hematology analyzer
and with standard cyanmethemoglobin method.
Materials & Methods: This is a prospective study carried out in the department of Transfusion Medicine, Narayana Medical College
and Hospital, India. A total of 466 blood donors were screened and evaluated for hemoglobin estimation by three different methods.
Comparison and their test performances were evaluated by analysis of coefficients of variation (CV), linear regression, and mean
differences, using SPSS Software version 20.0.
Results: There was no difference between the mean Hb determinations. The CVs for three methods Compolab TS, 0Coulter, and
Cyanmethemoglobin methods were 0.71%, 0.44%, and 0.85%, respectively. Compolab TS and Coulter showed best agreement and
the Cyanmethemoglobin showed lower determination rate compared to both the Coulter and Compolab TS tests. However, pair
methods involving Cyanmethemoglobin seem to narrower limits of agreement (± 0.1636 and ± 0.2152) than Compolab TS and
Coulter combination (± 0.2730).
Conclusion: Estimation of Hb by Compolab TS is rapid, simple and easy and showed good agreement with the standard methods.