THE EFFECTS OF SAMPLE-SIZE ON RETICULOCYTE COUNTING AND STOOL EXAMINATION - THE BINOMIAL AND POISSON-DISTRIBUTIONS IN LABORATORY MEDICINE

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 108  (5) , 396-398
Abstract
In tests that involve counting or searching for discrete objects, clinical laboratory specimens that are too small produce insensitive and imprecise test results. Ten of 57 surveyed New England [USA] hospital laboratories examine less than a 50-mg stool sample for parasite eggs; they are, therefore, unlikely to detect infections characterized by low concentrations of eggs in stool. Conversely, all 57 laboratories used the traditional appropriate sample size of at least 1000 RBC [red blood cell] for reticulocyte counting [e.g., for leukemic cell]. Theoretical and practical considerations in small sample testing are considered.

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