| Variation in phlebotomy techniques in emergency medicine and the incidence of haemolysed samples. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21948490 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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BACKGROUND: Phlebotomy is a potential cause of preanalytical errors. We have observed phlebotomy in routine practice in a busy Emergency Department, to see how current practice compares with optimal blood sampling. METHODS: Phlebotomy episodes were audited and compared with standard procedures. A computer-based search of the number of haemolysed samples from Emergency Medicine and hospital inpatients was reviewed. RESULTS: Four different ways of taking blood were observed: cannulation and a syringe (38%), cannula with evacuated tube and adaptor (42%), syringe and needle into vein (14%) and evacuated tube system used conventionally (6%). Where a syringe was used, two methods of transfer into the sample tube were observed; needle kept on with cap piercing (77%) and needle and evacuated cap both removed (23%). On 20 out of 50 phlebotomy episodes (40%), the potassium-EDTA tube was filled prior to the biochemistry serum gel tube. A search of the laboratory computer records for ward-based phlebotomy found 30 of 1034 samples were haemolysed (2.9%). In the 50 phlebotomy episodes in the Majors area of the Emergency Department, 24% produced a haemolysed sample (P < 0.0001). For samples taken from all areas of Emergency Medicine over a seven-day period, 52 of 485 were haemolysed (10.7%; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that phlebotomy techniques in the Emergency Department deviate from standard practice significantly. This may well be a reason for the much higher frequency of haemolysed samples and with the wrong order of collection the possibility of potassium-EDTA-contaminated samples. |
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Authors:
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J E Berg; P Ahee; J D Berg |
Publication Detail:
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Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2011-9-23 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Annals of clinical biochemistry Volume: - ISSN: 1758-1001 ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2011 Sep |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-9-27 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0324055 Medline TA: Ann Clin Biochem Country: - |
Other Details:
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Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Affiliation:
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Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2JA. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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