From Blood Sample to Decision: 5-DIFF Directly at the Point of Care

Hematology: When Results Need to Be Available Fast

Hematology testing is one of the most important laboratory analyses in daily clinical practice. Whether there is suspicion of an infection, inflammation, or other hematological abnormalities, a complete blood count (CBC) provides valuable information for the assessment and treatment of patients.

Especially in emergency departments, outpatient clinics, physician offices, and satellite laboratories, not only the quality of results matters, but also their availability. When blood samples have to be transported to a central laboratory first, valuable time can be lost. Point-of-care hematology enables blood count analyses to be performed directly at the site of patient care and results to be made available within a short period of time.

As a result, relevant diagnostic information is available more quickly and can be incorporated into clinical decision-making without delay.

5-DIFF: More Information for Clinical Decision-Making

An important component of modern hematology diagnostics is the CBC with a 5-part differential, commonly referred to as 5-DIFF. In this analysis, white blood cells are differentiated into five cell populations: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.

This additional level of differentiation provides valuable information for the assessment of various medical conditions. Changes in individual cell populations may indicate infections, inflammatory processes, allergic reactions, or hematological disorders. Particularly in environments where rapid decisions are required, a blood count including a 5-DIFF can support clinical evaluation.

While a standard CBC provides important baseline information, the differential blood count offers a more detailed insight into the composition of white blood cells and supports a well-founded assessment of the patient’s clinical condition.

The Cartridge System: A Key Advantage at the Point of Care

Performing a 5-DIFF analysis outside a central laboratory presents specific challenges. Many systems rely on separate reagents and require regular maintenance procedures or wash cycles. This can create additional organizational effort, particularly in facilities with low to medium sample volumes.

The HemoScreen® from PixCell Medical was specifically developed for point-of-care use. All reagents required for the analysis are contained within a single-use cartridge. This eliminates many of the steps associated with traditional hematology systems that require separate reagent management. As a result, operation is simplified and maintenance requirements are reduced.

The system provides a complete blood count including 5-DIFF directly at the point of care and delivers up to 20 parameters within approximately five minutes. In addition, the analysis is based on image-guided cell classification, in which individual blood cells are scanned and evaluated.

This approach can be particularly beneficial in emergency departments, outpatient clinics, physician offices, and satellite laboratories, as the system can be used efficiently even with lower sample volumes.

The Right Solution for Different Requirements

Not every healthcare facility requires the same hematology parameters or sample throughput. For this reason, the Axonlab Point-of-Care portfolio includes both 3-DIFF and 5-DIFF solutions.

Together with users, the most suitable solution is selected based on the specific requirements of each facility. This enables hematology analyses to be performed exactly where they are needed: close to the patient and without detours through a central laboratory.