Evaluation of a new serum separator

We tested the Centri-Sep filter (DADE) for its effectiveness in separating serum from clotted blood samples used for chemical analysis. Although statistical analysis by paired t-test showed differences in results for some analytes with the use of this device as compared with use of no separator or of a serum-decanting device, we concluded from the small bias of the paired means that the new separator device did not interfere with the clinical usefulness of reported values for the analytes studied. The separator is not an effective barrier for long-term storage of serum on its clot; however, we could obtain about 10% more serum with the separator than with decanting devices.