[Pre-test blood samples at clinical laboratories--effects of temperature and duration of blood sample storage on measurements].
Increases in lactate dehydrogenase (LD) were observed from 24 hours for samples stored at normal temperature, and were noted from 12 hours for those stored at room temperature. Potassium (K) increased from 3 hours for samples stored under refrigeration, and increased from 6 hours for those stored at normal temperature. For those stored at room temperature, this parameter decreased from 6 through 12 hours after blood sampling and increased from 24 hours. Inorganic phosphorus (P) increased from 36 hours for samples stored at normal temperature. For those stored at room temperature, this parameter decreased from 3 through 6 hours after blood sampling and increased from 24 hours. Increases in magnesium (Mg) were noted from 24 hours for samples stored at normal temperature, and were observed from 12 hours for those stored at room temperature. Increases in iron (Fe) were noted from 36 hours for samples stored at normal temperature, and were observed from 24 hours for those stored at room temperature. Blood urea nitrogen(BUN) increased from 24 hours for samples stored at room temperature. Creatinine (CRE) increased from 24 hours for samples stored at room temperature. Uric acid (UA) decreased from 36 hours for samples stored at room temperature. Serum glucose decreased from 6 hours for samples stored under refrigeration, decreased from 6 hours for those stored at normal temperature, and decreased from 3 hours for those stored at room temperature. Although it has generally been accepted that it may be good practice to store blood samples under refrigeration, there have been no established theories to prove this. The authors investigated the effects of the temperature and duration of blood sample storage on measurements and found that for some parameters, the measurements varied depending on the temperature and, duration of storage. No specific temperature for the storage of blood samples could be identified in all cases and accordingly, the personnel concerned should refer to the relevant materials and documents so as to identify an appropriate storage temperature.
Monden
Shigeki
S
Clinical Laboratory Testing Study Group, FALCO Biosystems Ltd., Kyoto, Japan.
Tanaka
Mitsuhiro
M
Takahashi
Hiroshi
H
D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors