title: Preanalytic variables. A management problem.
abstract: The problem of preanalytic variables in patient testing is a serious one. Although these considerations are often neglected, they can and do cause the best performed laboratory tests to yield completely spurious information. The laboratory director, by training and responsibility, is the appropriate individual to establish controls for eliminating errors. In this article the proper handling of specimens for common tests is outlined for every area of the laboratory except the blood bank.
mesh_terms: D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis; D004798:Enzymes / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000032:analysis; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004573:Electrolytes; D004798:Enzymes; D006728:Hormones; D008055:Lipids; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations