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Detecting EDTA in blood played a significant part in the Trial of OJ Simpson. Did the blood that matched OJ's at the fence near the locus contain contain edta and if so did this mean that some naughty policeman had contaminated the fence post hoc with a sample of blood donated by OJ after his arrest?
 
Robert Forrest
-----Original Message-----
From: Clinical biochemistry discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Corns, Cathryn
Sent: 19 December 2003 11:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Anti-coagulant contamination

Interesting problem this .  I was looking at a method for detecting EDTA in 'serum' samples, using knowledge from many (many, many) years ago when I worked on Ca and chelating agents.  Unfortunately, the new computer implementation has stopped me doing anything really useful / interesting, and I have not had any spare time, but it's on my list for the new year!!
 
I'll keep you posted!
 
Happy Christmas everyone!
Cathryn

Cathryn Corns
Head of Biochemistry
Southend Hospital
01702 435555 ext 4058

-----Original Message-----
From: JeffSlater (RQ8) Mid Essex Hospitals
Sent: 19 December 2003 11:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Anti-coagulant contamination

Dear all,
We are increasingly troubled by contamination of Biochemistry samples by EDTA or fluoride oxalate. We presume that it is related to wrong order of draw (evacuated tubes) or wrong order of dispensing (conventional syringe and needle).

Do colleagues have protocols for investigating this when a sample is suspected to be contaminated and what are your trigger limits ?The samples that worry us are the borderline ones, e.g potassium = 6.0, no calcium, normal renal function and from a GP ? EDTA, ? storage prior to dispatch, ? actually correct. How much time do you spend investigating this, running a calcium, looking up the previous results, trying to contact the requestor, advising a repeat sample etc. What about the effect on immunoassay systems which use alkaline phosphatase ?

In the old days we could conclude the specimen was ETDA contaminated by obtaining a normal calcium result by AAS. A simple spot test for EDTA could be useful or even better an on-board method for EDTA via reflexology.

Comments please and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all.
Jeff Slater

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------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content.

ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/

------ACB discussion List Information-------- This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical community working in clinical biochemistry. Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content.

ACB Web Site http://www.acb.org.uk List Archives http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html List Instructions (How to leave etc.) http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/