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Routine sample transportation of centrifuged barrier tubes impacts certain chemistry analytes
Jingcai Wang1, Amy L Pyle-Eilola2
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States.
Clinical Biochemistry
|September 4, 2022
Summary
Transporting centrifuged plasma separator tubes (PST) horizontally can affect lab test results, causing elevations in certain analytes like lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Keeping PSTs vertical during transport is recommended to ensure accurate laboratory testing.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Laboratory Science
- Preanalytical Variables
- Sample Stability
Background:
- The preanalytical phase, including sample transportation, is a significant source of laboratory testing errors.
- Previous research indicated that inverting centrifuged plasma separator tubes (PST) can elevate certain analytes.
- The impact of routine transportation practices, without full inversion, on PST analytes remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of routine laboratory courier transportation on analytes in centrifuged PSTs.
- To compare the impact of vertical versus horizontal sample transport on analyte stability.
- To determine if re-centrifugation can correct transport-induced analyte alterations.
Main Methods:
- Collected residual and donor PST samples.
- Measured baseline levels of white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), platelets (PLTs), potassium (K), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), sodium (NA), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).
- Transported samples vertically and horizontally for 30 minutes, followed by immediate analysis, re-centrifugation, and repeat analysis.
Main Results:
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased in both vertical and horizontal samples post-transport and remained elevated after re-centrifugation.
- Potassium (K) increased in horizontally transported samples only after re-centrifugation.
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), WBCs, RBCs, and PLTs increased post-transport but returned to baseline after re-centrifugation.
Conclusions:
- Centrifuged PSTs should be transported vertically to maintain sample integrity.
- Re-centrifugation may be necessary for specific chemistry tests after sample transportation to ensure accurate results.
- Proper handling during sample transport is crucial for reliable laboratory diagnostics.
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