Beckman Coulter AU480 Iron Test

Cheatsheet Content

Iron Test Study Master (AU480) 1. Reagent Setup Reagent Name: IRON (Fe) Reagent Type: Two Reagent (R1, R2) Bottle Type: Specific to Beckman Coulter AU reagents Location: Assign to appropriate R1 and R2 positions on the reagent carousel. Calibration: Calibrator: Iron Calibrator (e.g., Cat. No. 66320) Calibration Type: Linear or Multi-point (refer to reagent insert) Calibration Interval: Typically 7-14 days, or as per manufacturer/SOP. Calibration Verification: Use linearity materials or independent controls. Controls: Levels: At least two levels (Normal, Abnormal) Frequency: Every 24 hours, with each new reagent lot, and after calibration. Acceptance Criteria: Within $\pm 2$ SD of the target value. 2. Assay Parameters (Example Values - Refer to Reagent Insert) Note: These are illustrative. ALWAYS refer to the specific Beckman Coulter Iron reagent package insert for exact parameters. Parameter Setting Chemistry Name Fe Sample Volume $2.0 \mu L$ R1 Volume $100 \mu L$ R2 Volume $50 \mu L$ Wavelength 1 (Primary) $560 nm$ Wavelength 2 (Secondary) $700 nm$ Reaction Type End Point Reaction Direction Increase Measuring Points R1: $17-18$, R2: $33-34$ (example) Prozone Check Off (usually for Iron) Linearity Range Refer to reagent insert (e.g., $10 - 500 \mu g/dL$) Units $\mu g/dL$ or $\mu mol/L$ Reference Range Refer to local laboratory guidelines 3. Specimen Requirements Sample Type: Serum or Heparinized Plasma (avoid EDTA, Citrate) Minimum Volume: $30 \mu L$ for primary tube (check instrument minimum) Storage: Room Temp: Max 8 hours Refrigerated ($2-8^\circ C$): Up to 7 days Frozen ($-20^\circ C$): Up to 1 month Interferences: Hemolysis, icterus, lipemia (check reagent insert for specific limits). Iron Test Troubleshooting (AU480) 1. Calibration Issues Problem: Calibration fails or is out of range. Possible Cause: Expired or improperly prepared calibrator. Action: Check expiration date, ensure proper reconstitution/mixing. Possible Cause: Contaminated calibrator or calibrator cup. Action: Repeat with fresh calibrator in a new cup. Possible Cause: Reagent issue (expired, contaminated, insufficient volume). Action: Check reagent expiration, lot number, volume. Replace if necessary. Possible Cause: Instrument issue (lamp, cuvette, pipettor). Action: Perform lamp check, inspect cuvettes, run pipettor maintenance/calibration. 2. Quality Control (QC) Out-of-Range Problem: QC results consistently high or low. Possible Cause: Reagent degradation or contamination. Action: Replace reagent with a new bottle/lot. Possible Cause: Control material degradation or improper storage/preparation. Action: Check control expiration, storage conditions. Reconstitute new vial if applicable. Possible Cause: Calibration shift. Action: Re-calibrate the assay. Possible Cause: Instrument malfunction (e.g., photometer, pipetting). Action: Run instrument diagnostics, perform maintenance (e.g., probe wash, lamp check). Possible Cause: Environmental factors (temperature fluctuations). Action: Ensure analyzer is in a stable environment. Problem: Random QC errors (scattered high and low). Possible Cause: Bubbles in reagent or sample lines. Action: Degas reagents, check for air bubbles in lines. Possible Cause: Inconsistent sample/reagent delivery. Action: Perform probe cleaning, check for clogs or damage. Possible Cause: Contaminated reaction cuvettes. Action: Run a cuvette blank check; perform cuvette wash cycle. 3. Patient Results Inconsistent/Unexpected Problem: Patient results do not correlate with clinical picture. Possible Cause: Pre-analytical error (wrong tube, insufficient sample, contamination). Action: Re-collect sample, ensure proper collection technique. Possible Cause: Known interferences (hemolysis, lipemia, icterus). Action: Note interference. Consider alternative method or sample if possible. Possible Cause: Carry-over from high concentration samples. Action: Implement wash protocols or re-run sample after a blank. Possible Cause: Dilution error (if applicable). Action: Verify manual or auto-dilution steps. Possible Cause: Assay linearity exceedance (results above reportable range). Action: Dilute and re-run sample according to SOP. 4. Instrument Alarms/Error Codes General Action: Record the exact error code and message. Action: Consult the Beckman Coulter AU480 Operator's Manual for specific error code resolution. Common Alarms: Reagent Low/Empty: Replace reagent. Sample Volume Short: Check sample volume, re-pipette. Probe Clog/Crash: Perform probe maintenance (cleaning, replacement if damaged). Photometric Error: Check lamp, cuvettes, perform optical unit cleaning. Water/Waste Full/Empty: Replenish water, empty waste. 5. Preventative Maintenance (Key for Troubleshooting Prevention) Daily: Clean sample and reagent probes, check reagent levels, empty waste, replenish diluent/wash. Weekly: Clean reaction cuvettes, check lamp intensity, clean water/waste tanks. Monthly/Quarterly: Perform full system cleaning, check tubing, replace pump segments (as per manual). Regularly review QC trends and instrument logs.