EDTA contamination in laboratory specimens-effect of an awareness campaign.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the effects of awareness campaign on the frequency of EDTA contamination.


METHODS
A cohort study.


METHODS
The study was carried out in Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, from October to December 2008.


METHODS
A cohort of 200 doctors, nurses and paramedical staff involved in sample collection for laboratory investigations were selected for this three phased study. In all samples with plasma potassium level > 6.0 mmol/L, plasma Ca++ was measured for one month before, during and after a campaign of correct filling order of sample tubes for two weeks. Renal function test and LDH were also measured to rule out chronic renal failure and in-vitro haemolysis, respectively. Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of frequency of hyperhalemia.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease (75%, p < 0.01) in the cases of spurious hyperkalaemia and hypocalcaemia.


CONCLUSIONS
EDTA contamination is a common and important source of pre-analytical error which can be prevented to some extent by education of medical and nursing staff.
Ijaz
Aamir
A
Department Of Pathology, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar. ijaz_aamir@hotmail.com
Maqsood-ul-Hassan
Khan
Iqbal Muhammad
IM
Saeed
Farrukh
F
Tariq
Khalid Mahmood
KM
D000925:Anticoagulants; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000592:standards; D004340:Drug Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004492:Edetic Acid; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D012016:Reference Values
D000925:Anticoagulants; D004492:Edetic Acid