A Reference chart for clinical biochemical tests of hemolyzed serum samples

Area of Science:

• Clinical Biochemistry
• Laboratory Medicine

Background:

• Hemolysis significantly impacts clinical biochemical tests.
• A practical guide for laboratory staff to manage hemolyzed samples is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a reference chart for managing hemolyzed blood samples in clinical laboratories.
• To provide a tool for rapid assessment of sample acceptability and result interpretation.

Main Methods:

• Prepared serum samples with varying hemolysis levels (0.1% to 10%).
• Performed 35 wet and 22 dry clinical biochemical tests.
• Calculated hemolysis interference by comparing results with non-hemolyzed samples.

Main Results:

• Developed a reference chart detailing hemolysis interference and statistical analyses.
• Included visual serum color appearance at different hemolysis levels.
• The chart assists staff in accepting or rejecting hemolyzed samples.

Conclusions:

• A reference chart is invaluable for clinical laboratories handling hemolyzed samples.
• Facilitates consistent and accurate interpretation of biochemical test results from potentially compromised samples.