TCH Logo Tarangnan Community HospitalClinical Laboratory Document No.: WI-H-002-A-V0 CONTROLLED COPY
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Parent Document: SOP-H-002, Sections 5.2–5.8  |  Version: V0
Applies to: Medical Technologists and Laboratory Aides  |  Effective Date: MM-DD-YYYY  |  Supersedes: None

HORIBA ABX Pentra XL 80 Daily Startup, Difftrol QC & Shutdown Card

Hematology Section  |  Automated 5-Part Differential Analyzer Routine Operation & Maintenance

  1. 1
    LABORATORY AIDE / MTPre-Power Fluid, Waste & Reagent Inspection Inspect dedicated reagent levels: ABX Diluent, ABX Basolyse II, ABX Lysebio, ABX Eosinofix, and ABX Cleaner. Empty external liquid waste carboy. Verify reagent inventory storage at 18–25 °C. SOP-H-002, Section 5.2.1, 5.2.2
  2. 2
    Power-On Sequence & Automated Startup Prime Switch on main power and computer terminal. Log into Pentra XL 80 software. Click Startup icon on toolbar; the analyzer automatically primes fluidics, zeroes optics, and runs background counts. SOP-H-002, Section 5.3.1
  3. 3
    Verify Startup Background Blank Acceptance Counts Verify background counts meet strict limits: WBC < 0.3 × 10³/μL, RBC < 0.02 × 106/μL, HGB < 0.3 g/dL, PLT < 10 × 10³/μL. If high, repeat startup once or execute Backflush / Miniclean. Never test if blanks fail. SOP-H-002, Section 5.3.2, 5.3.3
  4. 4
    Daily Tri-Level ABX Difftrol Quality Control Run Equilibrate Difftrol Low, Normal, and High vials at 18–25 °C for 15 minutes. Mix thoroughly by gentle rolling and inversion. Analyze in Quality Assurance > Control > Difftrol. Verify all parameters within ± 2 SD. SOP-H-002, Section 5.4.1
    15 min eq
  5. 5
    Patient Specimen Processing (Rack Loader / STAT Mode) Mix K2EDTA tubes on mechanical rotator ≥ 2 min + 8–10 inversions. Check for clots. Load 10-tube racks (barcodes outward) and press green Start, or aspirate pediatric / urgent tubes via manual STAT door. SOP-H-002, Section 5.5.1–5.5.3
  6. 6
    End-of-Day Shutdown Enzymatic Cleaning (ABX Cleaner) Remove sample racks from loader deck. Clean exterior aspiration needles with alcohol wipe. Click Shutdown icon; analyzer draws ABX Cleaner to digest protein deposits and enters standby mode. SOP-H-002, Section 5.7.1
  7. 7
    Weekly Concentrated Cleaning with ABX Minoclair (MANDATORY) Every Friday at shift close: Navigate to Services > Maintenance > Concentrated Cleaning. Aspirate 3.0 mL undiluted ABX Minoclair via manual port. Timed 15-min soak digests debris, followed by auto-flush. SOP-H-002, Section 5.8.1, 5.8.2
    15 min soak

Startup Blank Limits & Dedicated Reagents

ParameterAcceptable Blank LimitCorrective Action
WBC< 0.3 × 10³/μL (< 0.3 × 109/L)Repeat startup cycle
RBC< 0.02 × 106/μL (< 0.02 × 10¹²/L)Execute aperture Backflush
HGB< 0.3 g/dL (< 3 g/L)Run optical Miniclean
PLT< 10 × 10³/μL (< 10 × 109/L)Inspect diluent / bubbles
6 Closed Reagents: ABX Diluent (isotonic sheathing), ABX Basolyse II (basophil differentiation), ABX Lysebio (cyanide-free HGB lyse), ABX Eosinofix (LMNE matrix dye), ABX Cleaner (enzymatic daily shutdown), ABX Minoclair (weekly hypochlorite).

Westgard Rules & Maintenance Protocol

  • 1₂ₚ (Warning): 1 control > ± 2 SD. Review reagents, proceed with caution.
  • 1₃ₚ / 2₂ₚ / R₄ₚ / 10x̅ (Rejection): Multirule violation. Halt patient testing immediately. Re-mix control, re-run; open fresh vial if needed (SOP-H-001 Section 5.9).
  • Calibration (ABX Minocal): Perform 5 replicates (CV < 1.5%) after major maintenance, optical overhaul, or persistent drift. Requires CMT/Pathologist sign-off.
  • Documentation: Log startup blanks, Difftrol QC, daily shutdown, and weekly Minoclair on F-H-002-A-V0 Checklist.
Prepared by: Chief Medical Technologist
Signature: _______________________ Date: ________		 Reviewed by: Pathologist
Signature: _______________________ Date: ________		 Approved by: Hospital Director
Signature: _______________________ Date: ________