IRIS iQ200 workstation as a screen for performing urine culture

We cultured 1000 urines and tested them with the iQ200 Workstation (Iris Diagnostics, Chatsworth, CA, and Arkray, Edina, MN, USA) for leukocyte esterase and nitrite (LE/N), white blood cells (WBC), all small particles (ASP), bacteria, and yeast. Positive culture grew >= 10(4) CFU/mL of 1 or 2 uropathogens. Method A assessed LE/N, WBCs >= 6/mu L, and bacteria/yeast. Method B assessed WBCs >= 6/mu L, bacteria/yeast, and ASP >= 10,000. Each was compared to culture results, clinician's diagnosis (CD), or expert review (ER). Sensitivities by culture were 88.7% (Method A) and 883% (Method B), with negative predictive values (NPVs) of 94.4% and 94.2%, respectively. Sensitivity and NPV increased for comparison to the CD (99.6%) and NPVs of 99.0% and 99.3% compared to ER. ASP did not enhance specificity, sensitivity, or NPV. The iQ200 Workstation performed well by any standard, thus providing a reliable system by which to improve the use of laboratory resources. Published by Elsevier Inc.