Evaluation of the automated leukocyte differential count in emergency department patients.

This study compares the results of the leukocyte three-part differential count as determined by the Coulter S-Plus IV in 104 consecutive patient samples from the emergency department with results obtained by conventional visual differential. A high rate (40%) of instrument rejection was found, reflecting the high prevalence of disease and hematologic abnormalities in the patient population. No clinically significant abnormality went undetected, demonstrating that the automated leukocyte three-part differential is effective as a screening test in the emergency department patient population.