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White blood cell disorder

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

White blood cell (WBC) disorders encompass a range of hematological conditions affecting leukocyte counts and function, impacting immune response and overall health. Diagnosis and management often require laboratory analysis and clinical guidance, particularly through liaison hematology services 1.

Diagnosis

  • Key Diagnostic Tests: Complete blood count (CBC) with differential to assess WBC counts and types 2.
  • Instrument Comparison: Ensure accuracy using standardized methods like CLSI EP9-A2 for WBC and platelet counts 2.
  • Quality Standards: Aim for WBC count variability <7.5% and platelet count variability <12.5% 2.
  • Technical Performance: Evaluate technician performance with coefficient of variation (CV) analysis 2.
  • Management

  • Liaison Hematology Support: Utilize advice and guidance from hematology specialists for complex cases 1.
  • Continuous Quality Improvement: Implement clinical audits to monitor and improve laboratory services across preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical phases 4.
  • Cost Management: Apply costing methods to understand and optimize resource utilization in clinical laboratories 7.
  • Special Populations

  • Laboratory Performance: Ensure consistent quality and timely reporting of critical values across all patient groups, addressing specific needs as identified 3.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Establish clear definitions and roles for liaison hematology services to enhance workload management and patient care coordination (Evidence: Expert opinion) 1.
  • Regularly perform internal instrument and personnel comparisons to maintain quality standards in WBC analysis (Evidence: Moderate) 2.
  • Conduct clinical audits to ensure laboratory services meet established evidence-based standards and implement necessary changes (Evidence: Strong) 4.
  • Improve cost efficiency and transparency in laboratory services through comprehensive costing methodologies (Evidence: Moderate) 7.
  • Address user satisfaction issues by improving consistency in laboratory quality, reporting timeliness, and result interpretation across all patient demographics (Evidence: Moderate) 3.
  • References

    1 Ransome N, Massie J, Appiah B, Wright J, Pavord S, Leary A et al.. Defining 'liaison haematology' in the UK: a modified Delphi study. BMJ open 2025. link 2 Wanjian G, Liang G, Mingde J, Qing Y, Chunbing Z. Operating scheme and experience of executing internal comparisons of blood cell analysis in a clinical laboratory. Clinical laboratory 2014. link 3 Addis Z, Birhan W, Derseh D, Sahle B, Gizaw N. Physicians' and nurses' satisfaction with the clinical laboratory service of Gondar University Hospital, northwest Ethiopia. American journal of clinical pathology 2013. link 4 Erasmus RT, Zemlin AE. Clinical audit in the laboratory. Journal of clinical pathology 2009. link 5 Markel SF, Venner AM. A market analysis approach to bidding for capitated clinical laboratory and pathology services contracts. Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine 1995. link 6 Shaw ST, Miller JM. Cost-containment and the use of reference laboratories. Clinics in laboratory medicine 1985. link 7 Broughton PM, Woodford FP. Benefits of costing in the clinical laboratory. Journal of clinical pathology 1983. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Defining 'liaison haematology' in the UK: a modified Delphi study.Ransome N, Massie J, Appiah B, Wright J, Pavord S, Leary A et al. BMJ open (2025)
    2. [2]
      Operating scheme and experience of executing internal comparisons of blood cell analysis in a clinical laboratory.Wanjian G, Liang G, Mingde J, Qing Y, Chunbing Z Clinical laboratory (2014)
    3. [3]
      Physicians' and nurses' satisfaction with the clinical laboratory service of Gondar University Hospital, northwest Ethiopia.Addis Z, Birhan W, Derseh D, Sahle B, Gizaw N American journal of clinical pathology (2013)
    4. [4]
      Clinical audit in the laboratory.Erasmus RT, Zemlin AE Journal of clinical pathology (2009)
    5. [5]
      A market analysis approach to bidding for capitated clinical laboratory and pathology services contracts.Markel SF, Venner AM Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine (1995)
    6. [6]
      Cost-containment and the use of reference laboratories.Shaw ST, Miller JM Clinics in laboratory medicine (1985)
    7. [7]
      Benefits of costing in the clinical laboratory.Broughton PM, Woodford FP Journal of clinical pathology (1983)

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