The study aimed to develop Complete Blood Count reference intervals (RIs) for the adult population served by the South-West Regional Authority (SWRHA) and determine if there are differences between the SWRHA population-specific RIs and the manufacturer’s RIs adopted from the Coulter Corporation.

 

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Blood Bank Department of the San Fernando General Hospital. Using convenience sampling, a total of 366 blood donors (198 males and 168 females) who passed the donor and health screening tests and contributed a unit of blood to the Blood Bank, agreed to have their residual blood used in the study.

 

Sample collection and handling followed standard operating procedures. SPSS Version 17.0 software was used for nonparametric statistical analysis such as the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test and Pearson’s Correlation. RIs were established for twenty parameters (i.e., red blood cells, white blood cells [WBC] and platelet values) after double-checking outliers with grossly abnormal test results.

 

Differences were seen between the SWRHA population-specific RIs and the manufacturer’s RIs in all twenty parameters. The upper limits for WBC, neutrophil, and eosinophil were greater for both sexes compared to the manufacturer’s RIs. Haemoglobin lower limits for males and females (12.70g/dL and 11.02 g/dL) respectively were less than the manufacturer’s RIs (13.60 g/dL and 11.70 g/dL). The reasons for the observed differences were undetermined and may have been due to genetic adaptation, variation in nutritional status, and increased exposure to allergens and infectious diseases.

 

There were variations observed between the manufacturer’s RIs and SWRHA population-specific RIs, which stressed that RIs should be developed for the population it serves. SWRHA population-specific RIs should be applied to improve diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making, and can enhance patient safety and care and strengthen diagnostic confidence.

Ms Korish Megan Ramsubhag has worked in both the private and public health sectors for twelve years. She began her career working in a private laboratory before transitioning into public healthcare at the South West Regional Health Authority where she served as a phlebotomist for four and a half years. She was then promoted to the role of Medical Laboratory Technician I (MLT I), which she held for five years, before advancing to her current position as Medical Laboratory Technician II (MLT II).

 

Ms Ramsubhag holds certifications as a Phlebotomy Technician and a Point of Care Specialist from the American Medical Technologist and American Association for Clinical Chemistry respectively. Having an interest in Health Sciences, she also possesses a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Medical Laboratory Technology from the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), as well as a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Management from the Australia Institute of Business. She is presently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) at The University of Trinidad and Tobago with a concentration in Health Administration, to contribute to improving and uplifting the clinical laboratories in the local sector.

 

Ms Ramsubhag possesses an unwavering passion for healthcare and laboratory development. Her objective is to contribute to the alignment of local laboratory standards with internationally recognised best practices, ultimately contributing to the elevation of healthcare delivery to the gold standard.