Dear All
Many thanks to those who replied to my query about how labs deal with
"old" samples (i.e. when there is a delay in separation). Below is a
summary of responses:
- 2 labs use detailed tables that give allowable limits between sample
collection and separation for different analytes, and remove selected
analytes accordingly before reporting the results.
- 1 lab reports everything, but with a caveat that in samples > 12
hours old some results are unreliable
- 1 lab analyses samples up to 3 days old, and removes the Na, K, and
bilirubin
- 1 lab analyses samples up to 2 days old, and removes the potassium
- 1 lab reports all samples > 4 hours old with a comment saying that
some parameters may be invalid. Normal and low potassiums are reported
as "less than", whilst high potassiums are deleted. Glucoses > 6.9
mmol/L (fasting) or 11.0 (random) are reported as "greater than", and
all other glucoses are deleted (non-fluoride specimens only)
- 1 lab reports all samples > 8 hours old with a comment to say that
the sample has been unsuitable for some analytes, and the relevant
results are removed, according to length of delay and whether a gel or
non-gel tube. Some results may be re-entered if felt to be appropriate
(with a comment) at manual validation.
Thanks again
Best wishes
Rachel
Rachel Still
Dept Chemical Pathology
Morriston Hospital
Swansea SA6 6NL
Tel 01792 703988
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