At a glance
| Also called | BC-3D, BC-3D hema control, 3-part hematology control |
|---|---|
| Method | Assayed tri-level whole-blood control |
| Category | Hematology QC |
| Discipline | Controls and calibrators |
| Brand | Mindray |
What BC-3D Control does
Hematology control material is stabilised whole blood with assigned values for the reported parameters, supplied at low, normal and high levels. It differs from chemistry control in an important practical way: it is a cell suspension rather than a serum-based liquid, so it has to be brought to room temperature and mixed thoroughly before use, and it has a noticeably shorter open-vial life. Handling it badly is itself a common cause of apparent control failures. BC-3D is the material for 3-part differential analyzers, and running all three levels is what allows the bench to show that counts are accurate across the range rather than only in the middle.
How Philippine laboratories run it
Run at the start of each day of testing and after maintenance or calibration, with the results recorded so the history can be produced for accreditation. Philippine laboratories running multiple shifts get through this considerably faster than single-shift sites, and because it has a shorter open-vial life than chemistry control it is less forgiving of over-ordering as well as under-ordering. Framar sizes it from QC frequency and shift pattern for that reason. It requires cold-chain handling on delivery, which is part of how the schedule is planned for provincial sites.
Analyzers it runs on
Also supplied for installed BC-3000, BC-3200 units still in service. Tell us the model and we will confirm what it takes.
Calibrator, controls and companion tests
Delivered with the other control and calibrator materials for that bench, on the same schedule as BC-3D Control.
Storage and handling
Refrigerated and never frozen, stored upright, and brought to room temperature and mixed thoroughly before use exactly as the insert directs.
Buying BC-3D Control in the Philippines
BC-3D Control is supplied for the BC-30. We deliver it with BC-5D Control and BC-6D Control, because a run held up waiting on a separate order costs the same shift a stock-out does. Delivery is scheduled against how fast your bench actually gets through it, which for a consumable is set by workload rather than by a calendar. How we plan controls and calibrators supply.
Questions about BC-3D Control
Why does hematology control fail more often than chemistry control?
Frequently because of handling rather than the analyzer. It is a cell suspension, so it must be brought to room temperature and mixed thoroughly, and it has a much shorter open-vial life than serum-based chemistry control. A control run straight from the refrigerator, or mixed inadequately, will often fail for reasons that have nothing to do with the instrument.
Which control does our analyzer take?
It depends on the differential. BC-3D is for 3-part differential analyzers, BC-5D for 5-part instruments and BC-6D for the BC-6000. They are not interchangeable, because the assigned values cover the parameters the specific analyzer reports. If you are unsure which your bench needs, tell us the model and we will confirm it.
Order BC-3D Control
Tell us your monthly workload and we will quote a supply schedule for BC-30. We reply within one business day.
Request a quotation