Determination of hemolysis thresholds by the use of data loggers in pneumatic tube systems.

Author(s): Streichert T, Otto B, Schnabel C, Nordholt G, Haddad M, Maric M, Petersmann A, Jung R, Wagener C

Publication: Clin Chem, 2011, Vol. 57, Page 1390-7

PubMed ID: 21836074 PubMed Review Paper? No

Purpose of Paper

Conclusion of Paper

Studies

1. Study Purpose

   The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of transporting specimens via PTS and PTS speed on 42 clinical chemistry and hematological analytes in blood. Specimens were collected into K EDTA, coagulation, or ammonium heparin tubes, serum monovettes, or PICO samplers as appropriate. Transport by PTS and hand-delivery took 5-6.5 min and 7.5 min, respectively and there were no difference in specimen transport, humidity or pressure during transport, but significant differences in 3-axis acceleration occurred.

   Summary of Findings:

   PTS transport at 2.5 m/s significantly affected platelet and monocyte counts, reptilase time, D-dimer fragments, antithrombin, K, phosphorus, magnesium, ASAT, alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), lipase, and LDH levels, but only the increases in K, phosphate ASAT and LDH exceeded the allowance of the guidelines of the German Federal Medical Council. The magnitude of the changes, which were not always directionally consistent, decreased with decreasing transport speed, and, at a speed of 1.5 m/s, only the increases in LDH and ASAT were significant and exceeded the guideline allowances. None of the other 43 analytes were affected. The changes in LDH, ASAT and K were correlated with hemolysis, which also increased with increasing transport speed.

   Biospecimens

   • Bodily Fluid - Blood

   Preservative Types

   • None (Fresh)

   Diagnoses:

   • Not specified

   Platform:

   Analyte	Technology Platform
   Electrolyte/Metal	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Gas	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Peptide	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Protein	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Carbohydrate	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Small molecule	Clinical chemistry/auto analyzer
   Cell count/volume	Hematology/ auto analyzer

   Pre-analytical Factors:

   Classification	Pre-analytical Factor	Value(s)
   Storage	Within hospital transportation method	Hand-delivered Pneumatic tube system
   Storage	Specimen transport duration/condition	2.5 m/s 2.0 m/s 1.5 m/s

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