Chapter 12 Computers & specimen handling & Processing
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pcbeachmom44 on November 14, 2011
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16 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Specimen handling | quality results depend upon proper handling of the specimen before analysis. 46-68% of errors are made in the preanalytic phase |
| Additive tube mixing | gently inverted 3-8 times as soon as drawn |
| Vigorous mixing | causes hemolysis affecting K+, Mg+ & most enzyme tests |
| Inadequate mixing | anticoagulant tubes--microclot formation. Gel separating tubes--incomplete clotting |
| Protection from light | analyte broken down by light. Examples: bilirubin, vitamin B, Carotene. Must use aluminum foil or amber-colored tube |
| Chilled specimens | slows down metabolic processes & must be completely immersed in slurry of ice and water. Examples: ammonia, lactic acid, plasma rennin |
| Warmed specimens | these will precipitate or agglutinate if below body temperature. Must be transported at 37 degrees. Examples: Cryoglobulins, Cold agglutinin, Cryofibrinogen |
| Time constraints for specimens | should arrive within 45 munutes, centrifuged within an hour, max time limit for separating serum & plasma from cells is 2 hrs, less time for K+ & cortisol |
| SST tube | prevents glycolysis for up to 24 hours |
| Glucose in sodium flouride | gray tube. Stable for 24 hrs at room temperature; 48 hours at 4 degrees C |
| Hematology tests in EDTA | stable for 24 hours; smears must be made within 1hr |
| EDTA for hematology | should never be centrifuged because test must be done on whole blood |
| Prothrombin time | reliable, unrefrigerated and uncentrifuged up to 24 hrs |
| Partial thromboplastin time | must be analyzed within 4 hrs regardless of storage conditions |
| Plasma specimens | collected in tubes with anticoagulants, may be centrifuged without delay, PST designed to maintain specimen stability, reduce TAT because no clotting time, be aware of anticoagulant and analyte contamination |
| Serum specimens | must be completely clotted before centrifugation, normal clotting in 30-45 min, serum separator tubes in 15 min, chilled specimen takes longer to clot, clot activators can be added to tube after specimen is drawn |
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