Performance of Automated Hematology Analyzer Criteria in Detecting Peripheral Blood Smear Abnormalities: A Systematic Literature Review.
Int J Lab HematolMay 11, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchHematology
Elizabeth L Courville, Michelle Grant, Emily Mason et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review analyzed 68 studies over 20 years to evaluate the performance of automated hematology analyzers in detecting peripheral blood smear (PBS) abnormalities. The review found that blast flag sensitivity varied from 18% to 100% and specificity from 17% to 100%, indicating significant variability in PBS review criteria across different studies and instruments.
Key findings
- Blast flag sensitivity ranged from 18% to 100% across studies.
- Blast flag specificity varied from 17% to 100%.
- Significant variability was noted in PBS review criteria and statistical analysis methods.
- Less variation was observed in studies analyzing the same patient population.
Why it matters
Understanding the variability in automated hematology analyzer performance is crucial for clinicians to interpret results accurately and determine when further testing or blood smear reviews are necessary, ultimately impacting patient care.