A calibration program for Rotorod samplers.
BACKGROUND: Despite widespread use in the United States, the need for calibrating Rotorod Samplers on a regular basis has not been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this present investigation was to inspect Rotorods that had been operating in the field to determine whether they conformed to the manufacturer's operating specifications. METHODS: Allergists who own Rotorods voluntarily returned their devices to the manufacturer for calibration over the course of two successive winters. The speed of each device's motor was measured with a stroboscopic tachometer. RESULTS: Of the 89 devices examined, ten were found to be operating at the manufacturer's exact speed specification (2400 RPM) and another 31 were within 5%. The remaining devices deviated by more than 5% from the prescribed speed or possessed motors that would not operate. CONCLUSIONS: The authors underscore the importance of calibrating Rotorod Samplers to maintain data quality.