Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
An In Vitro Hemodynamic Loop Model to Investigate the Hemocytocompatibility and Host Cell Activation of Vascular Medical Devices
Published on: August 21, 2020
Collecting factors related to the haemolysis of blood specimens
Li Fang1, Shu-Hui Fang, Yun-Ho Chung
1Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Aim:
The purpose of the study is to explore the collecting factors for the haemolysis of the blood specimens in a regional hospital in South Taiwan.
Background:
Blood collecting is one of the most common procedures used in hospital. However, it often faces the risk of haemolysis of blood specimens during laboratory testing and the specimens collected can be easily rejected by the laboratory.
Methods:
This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The purposive samples were collected from the blood specimens of the hospitalized patients or the emergency-room patients by using structured observational checklists which included demographic characteristics, caring factors and material factors. A total of 274 blood specimens was collected.
Results:
Specimens obtained from non-antecubital sites were 3.35 times at risk of haemolysis as many as those from antecubital sites (p = 0.001). Blood collected into tubes through steel needles were 3.7 times more at risk of haemolysis as that through syringes (after removing needles) (p = 0.002). Specimens delivered by ward assistants were 8.7 times more at risk for haemolysis as those by the laboratory staff (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that nurse supervisors establish a protocol related to preventing haemolysis. Future research should explore the effectiveness of this protocol to verify the relationship between different gauges of steel needles or catheters and haemolysis.
Relevance To Clinical Practice:
Nurse educators are encouraged to include the factors affecting and preventing haemolysis into the in service education. Therefore, findings may assist healthcare professionals in minimizing the risk of haemolysis and improve the quality of care.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Disorders of Hemostasis
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
02:45Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...