As per our conversation on December 29, 2000, in reference to the Proficiency Testing. I am responding to your request of a written explanation of the steps taken to solve the problem that we have been experiencing with the platelet counts.
             On November 7, I received the Hematology to run the PT, upon opening the package it was noticed that the bottles were wrong for the Cell-Dyn 1200 machine. I immediately called AAB and informed one of the doctors there of my situation. He recommended that the specimen be transferred from the small bottles to the EDTA tubes, which fit the machine we have. I followed the steps given to me, which included rinsing the EDTA tubes thoroughly and allowing them to dry. In my opinion transferring the specimens from one container to another may have caused the specimens to hemolyse and or become contaminated causing abnormal readings. The specimens were run twice, I am including for your review a copy of those test results.
             Immediately upon receipt of the failed PT, I contacted the technical support staff at Abbot. With their guidance I made some self-tests and performed a precision check . The results were that the platelets were reading too high and the solution was to replace the machine because the machine could not be repaired on site. As of right now we have a new Cell-Dyn 1200 machine and have not yet run any PTs on it.
             When a platelet reading from a patient is abnormal these procedures are followed.
             1. Consult with the Doctor
             3. Send specimen for independent testing.
             6. Contact Abbot tech support.
             Please find enclosed with this letter a copy of the Precision Check made to the machine, also there are copies of blood test results that were sent to an independent lab for co
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