title: Optimization of the storage conditions for coagulation screening tests.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the optimum storage temperature and time for prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time at various intervals at both room temperature and refrigerator.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI), Laboratory at University Sains Malaysia (USM), from August 2009 to June 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  After obtaining the consent, 33 blood samples were collected from AMDI staffs and students. Prothrombin time (PT) was measured at 0, 4, 8 and 24 hours (h). Partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was measured at 0, 2, 6 and 8 h both at room temperature (RT) and refrigerator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty three subjects (14 males and 19 females, aged from 20 to 40 years) were involved. PT showed no significant differences at RT at 4 h, while significant differences after 8 h and 24 h at RT and after 4 h, 8 h and 24 h at refrigerator were observed. APTT showed no statistically significant differences at 2 h but showed significant differences at 6 h, 8 h at both RT and refrigerator.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Samples for PT testing can be accepted only up to 4 h when kept at RT while the samples cannot be accepted when kept at refrigerator for 4 h and above. APTT samples can be accepted up to 2 h only at RT or refrigerator.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Science, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, University Sains, Malaysia. sultan_a1976@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Sultan Ayesh
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mohammed Saghir
authors.forename: Faisal Muti
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Al-Hassan
authors.forename: Omar Saeed
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Alsalahi
authors.forename: Faizatul Syima
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Abdul Manaf
authors.forename: Huda Salman
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Baqir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001771:Blood Banks; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D003080:Cold Temperature; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012016:Reference Values; D012449:Safety; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013696:Temperature; D055815:Young Adult