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Pre-analytical variation of some haematological quantities
Mariona García-Panyella1, Ariadna Padró-Miquel, Dolors Dot-Bach
1Laboratori Clínic, IDIBELL--Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain.
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
|July 9, 2008
Summary
Pre-analytical variation in routine blood tests is significant, impacting results for erythrocytes, haemoglobin, and leukocytes. This variation must be considered when measuring patient results for accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Laboratory Science
- Hematology
Background:
- Standardization of pre-analytical variables is assumed to minimize variation.
- However, the extent of pre-analytical variation in commonly measured hematological parameters remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the day-to-day pre-analytical variation of key hematological quantities.
- To assess the impact of pre-analytical factors on common blood test results.
Main Methods:
- Experimental design incorporating various pre-analytical variation sources.
- Focus on routine hematological parameters from patient samples.
Main Results:
- Significant pre-analytical variance observed for erythrocyte concentration, hemoglobin, leukocytes, neutrophilocytes, lymphocytes, and packed cell volume.
- Pre-analytical variance is not negligible for these critical hematological markers.
Conclusions:
- Pre-analytical variance significantly affects common hematological measurements.
- Incorporate quantified pre-analytical variances into uncertainty of measurement calculations for patient results.
