Evaluation of the precision and accuracy of an automated sample introduction accessory for the flame atomic absorption spectrometric measurement of calcium in serum

The measurement precision and accuracy that results from the use of a sample introduction peristaltic pump system for automated instrument calibration and analysis is compared to manual methods based on traditional gravimetric and volumetric dilution procedures for flame atomic absorption analyses in water and serum matrices. Whilst use of the automated system improves speed of analysis, measurement precision was found to be approximately 2-fold worse than the manual methods based on gravimetric and volumetric dilution procedures. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.