Minimizing admission laboratory testing in trauma patients: use of a microanalyzer.

Objective: Routine admission laboratory test protocols in injured patients are costly and involve excessive phlebotomy and turnaround time. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the utility of (1) a microanalyzer, NOVA-SP5 (which provides rapid results on minimal blood volume), and (2) each component of our standard laboratory test battery. Methods: Laboratory test results for 200 consecutive injured patients admitted to a level 1 trauma center were evaluated by paired sample analysis. Our standard battery [60 mL: ($348): type and screen, complete blood count, PT/PTT, electrolytes, BUN, creatinine, glucose, calcium, amylase, ethanol level, and arterial blood gas] run «stat» in the central laboratory was compared to the microanalyzer profile [<1 mL: ($182): hemoglobin, hematocrit, electrolytes, glucose, Ca 2+ , and arterial blood gas] run by the trauma team in the resuscitation area