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Evaluation of between-sample carryover on an automated coagulation instrument: recommendations for quality control
Objective:
To assess sample probe carryover levels in a modern automated coagulation analyzer.
Setting:
Washoe Medical Center Clinical Laboratory, Reno, Nevada.
Design:
Analysis of the relative degree of prolongation of coagulation assays using a sequential series of samples following a sample with inherent or added components with the potential for prolonging or accelerating coagulation when significant sample probe carryover is present.
Participants:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measure:
The extent of prolongation or acceleration of APTT or PT assays.
Results:
The first sample positions assayed subsequent to specimans with potential accelerating or prolonging coagulation activity were affected by 3.9% to 17.8%.
Conclusion:
Results suggest that a potential exists in automated sampling coagulation analyzers. A mechanism for quality control analysis of carryover should be incorporated in automated probe coagulation analyzers. A suggested "1-2-1" control sequence is discussed as a possible quality assurance tool for measuring carryover within individual assay runs.