Performance Studies on the Technicon “SMAC” Analyzer: Precision and Comparison of Values with Methods in Routine Laboratory Service

We present performance studies on the Technicon ‘ ‘SMAC ” analyzer. Precision was estimated from con-trol data during routine operation and from blind dupli-cates of sera from patients. Patients ’ specimens were analyzed with the SMAC and the SMA 12/60 during mi-tial evaluation studies. Comparisons were also made with the Du Pont aca and other methods during routine service. Performance is judged relative to medical use-fulness requirements, by using previously developed Criteria and recommendations for decision levels and allowable errors. Additional Keyphrases: quality-control #{149} inter-method comparison #{149} mechanized analysis #{149}analytical systems Schwartz et al. (1) reported results of performance studies on a prototype “SMAC ” 1 analyzer. Here, we present results of similar studies on a production-model instrument. Results in this report are from mi-tial evaluation experiments as well as performance studies conducted during the first six months of 1975, when the SMAC was in routine service operation