An evaluation of gentamicin EMIT--its performance on the Kem-O-Mat and its role in the small laboratory.

An investigation was made into the use of gentamicin EMIT on the Coulter Kem-O-Mat in a small microbiology laboratory. EMIT was found to correlate well with plate assay and to be a more rapid, more precise and technically less time-consuming method. EMIT was more expensive in clinical use. This single disadvantage was considered to be outweighed by a saving in capital equipment expenditure and by the benefits to the laboratory and clinician.