We switched from plasma to serum to gel tubes a couple of years ago.
Despite my having had some reservations we have not had any obvious problems.
We increased the reference range from 3.5-4.8 to 3.8-5.5 mmol/L.
A few patients can have significant differences between plasma and serum potassium level, e.g. those with high platelet counts.
Graham Ball
-----Original
Message-----
From: Stephen Halloran
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2002
11:50 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Are serum potassium
measurements acceptable?
Dear colleagues,
For some while I have resisted pressure to adopt serum as the prime sample type
for routine analysis. We retain fluoride oxalate preservative for glucose,
lithium heparin anticoagulant for many other analytes particularly electrolytes
and use serum primarily for immunoassays.
The disparity between plasma and serum potassium is my particular concern and
yet I know increasing automation has meant that many labs have adopt serum.
Bayer have recommended we move to serum to improve the quality of analysis on
their Advia 1650 analyser and also to help streamline sample processing on
their automated sample processing and tracking system.
Is now the time to concede?
What is the experience of mail base members?
Stephen
Stephen P. Halloran
Consultant Clinical Biochemist
Royal Surrey County Hospital
Egerton Road
Guildford
Surrey GU2 5XX
Tel:- 01483 464121
Fax:- 01483 464072
Mobile 077 47 862 074
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
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NHS Trust shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.
Consultant Clinical Biochemist
Royal Surrey County Hospital
Egerton Road
Guildford
Surrey GU2 5XX
Tel:- 01483 464121
Fax:- 01483 464072
Mobile 077 47 862 074
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged
material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or
taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or
entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you
received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material
from any computer.
Any opinions, conclusions and other information in this message that do
not relate to the official business of the Royal Surrey County Hospital
NHS Trust shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by it.