title: Effects of time and temperature on 48 routine chemistry, haematology and coagulation analytes in whole blood samples.
abstract: Background Phlebotomy for the purpose of blood analysis is often performed at remote locations, and samples are usually temporarily stored before transport to a central laboratory for analysis. The circumstances during storage and shipment may not meet the necessary requirements. If analysed anyway, false results may be generated. We therefore examined the influence of precentrifugation time and temperature of the most frequently requested tests in whole blood. Methods Healthy volunteers donated blood in which 48 analytes were tested. Routine chemistry was performed in lithium heparin tubes, haematology in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tubes, coagulation in citrate tubes and glucose in sodium fluoride tubes. One tube was measured directly. The others were kept at different temperatures (4, 8, 20 or 30℃) and stored for 4, 6, 8 or 24 h before analysis. Additionally, some analytes were examined at 12, 16, 24 and 28℃. The mean percentage deviation was compared with different decision levels, including the total allowable error. Results When using the total allowable error as an acceptable limit, most of the investigated analytes remained stable. However, bicarbonate is unstable at almost all tested time-points and temperatures. Calcium, lactate dehydrogenase, potassium and sodium are particularly affected at low temperatures, while phosphate is mainly affected at and above room temperature after 8 h. Conclusion We established the influence of time and temperature on a broad range of analytes, which may be applied to set the limits in transportation and storage of whole blood samples.
authors: 1 Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
authors: Jasmijn A
authors: JA
authors: van Balveren
authors: 2 Department of Clinical Chemistry, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, the Netherlands.
authors: Mirelle Jaj
authors: MJ
authors: Huijskens
authors: 1 Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
authors: Eugenie Fa
authors: EF
authors: Gemen
authors: 1 Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
authors: Nathalie Cv
authors: NC
authors: Péquériaux
authors: 1 Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.|3 Department of Health Technology and Services Research, MIRA Institute of Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands.
authors: Ron
authors: R
authors: Kusters
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000592:standards*; D002498:Centrifugation / Q000592:standards; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D005947:Glucose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006493:Heparin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D012034:Refrigeration / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014186:Transportation / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; C002113:acid citrate dextrose; D019343:Citric Acid; D006493:Heparin; D004492:Edetic Acid; D005947:Glucose
keywords: Quality-assurance and control; analytes