How Useful Are CBC and Reticulocyte Reports to Clinicians in Addis Ababa Hospitals, Ethiopia
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Date
2021-07
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: The CBC/Retics are routine Hematology tests that are useful to differentially
diagnose anemia and other medical conditions. However, it has been presumed that they are not
applied in regular medical practice in Addis Ababa hospitals.
Objective: To ascertain the reports of CBC/Retics parameters perceived as useful in medical
practice in Addis Ababa hospitals.
Methodology: A hospital based cross - sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 408
clinicians working in Addis Ababa hospitals from Nov –Dec 2010, and the response on use of
CBC /Retics reports was analyzed. The Always/Frequently (A/F) response was taken to consider
‘adequate / routine use’ of the CBC/Retics parameter by the clinicians. The P-value less than
0.05 were taken as statistically significant. Chi square was used to see statistical association
among variables.
Result: Only four of the thirteen parameters in the CBC were selected as frequently or always
useful by more than 85% of the clinicians; HGB, HCT, WBC and WBC Diff. Health Officers
were observed to use 12 of the 13 CBC parameters less than the other professional group;
Interns and Residents demonstrated highest use of CBC results. More than a third of clinicians
preferred WBC differential report in percent than the more useful absolute report. Reticulocyte
parameters were not being used by majority of clinicians in patient management. Clinicians
rated ‘average’ regarding the adequacy of clinical laboratory methods course they took during
medical education. As service users, clinicians indicated mm
3
as unit of preference in cell count
on the laboratory report format.
Conclusion & Recommendation: Overall, many clinicians do not use much of the data provided
on routine CBC report. This should attract further research, and responsible bodies promote use
of CBC/Retics reports by clinicians.
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Keywords
CBC, Retics, Differential leukocyte count, Clinicians, Laboratory report form,CLM course