Blood is one of the most sensitive
biological samples in existence. Collecting blood samples is a more
involved process than sticking a subject and sucking fluid into a
vial. Improperly collecting blood samples exponentially increases the
likelihood of hemolysis. To avoid this, you should utilize the
correct equipment and employ a trained phlebotomist who can properly
extract the sample.
Why Use a Phelbotomist Instead of a Regular Staff Member?
The process of extracting blood samples is exposed to many variables, including the extraction and collection/storage equipment available, the subject's vein size and the laws of physics.
Vein selection
Many who are untrained to extract blood samples will use a syringe to probe for the vein. This causes vein trauma, will destroy red blood cells and is likely to cause immediate hemolysis. Although vein trauma can occur regardless of the extractor's skill level, trained phelbotomists know how to recognize it; when this happens, they know that the first sample is likely hemolyzed, but subsequent extractions are unlikely to be damaged.
Phelbotomists will also choose the correct sized vein. Blood extracted from veins too small for the extraction equipment available is likely to hemolyze.
Collection/storage
Improper collection procedures are just as likely to damage a biological samples as poor extraction. As experts, phelbotomists are sure to collect the right amount of blood for storage (underfilled tubes alter the additive ratio; poor additive ratios lead to hemolysis). They also make recommendations for the best storage methods.
Tool selection
Regardless of the tools available, phelbotomists choose or request the best tools for the extraction and collection/storage process. This prevents your lab from processing a large collection of samples, only to realize that the entire procedure has been ruined by hemolysis.
Other procedures
Properly executing other seemingly minor procedures can be the difference between having a good sample and one destroyed by hemolysis. For example, a phelbotomist knows that you must allow alcohol to completely dry before attempting blood sample extraction, because the chemical might invade the sample and cause hemolysis.
Why Blood Sample Extraction and Collection/Storage Equipment Should be Chosen Carefully
Extraction equipment
If a needle is too large, it will force blood into the tube violently, causing the red blood cells to rupture; if a needle is too small, it will draw the blood through the syringe with excessive force, shearing the red blood cells. Both of these eventualities is likely to cause hemolysis. You should take the utmost care with your extraction equipment selection.
Collection/storage equipment
If at all possible, you should choose evacuated tube collection over syringe collection; syringe collection has proven to be over six times more likely to result in hemolysis than evacuated tube collection.
For storage of biological samples, you should use modern evacuated tubes, which make rim clots unnecessary. You should only mix the tube through gentle inversions. NEVER shake the sample. Storage temperatures should be regulated. Finally, always be cautious when transporting the specimen, as rough handling can lead to hemolysis-causing trauma; hand deliver blood samples whenever possible.
Why Use a Phelbotomist Instead of a Regular Staff Member?
The process of extracting blood samples is exposed to many variables, including the extraction and collection/storage equipment available, the subject's vein size and the laws of physics.
Vein selection
Many who are untrained to extract blood samples will use a syringe to probe for the vein. This causes vein trauma, will destroy red blood cells and is likely to cause immediate hemolysis. Although vein trauma can occur regardless of the extractor's skill level, trained phelbotomists know how to recognize it; when this happens, they know that the first sample is likely hemolyzed, but subsequent extractions are unlikely to be damaged.
Phelbotomists will also choose the correct sized vein. Blood extracted from veins too small for the extraction equipment available is likely to hemolyze.
Collection/storage
Improper collection procedures are just as likely to damage a biological samples as poor extraction. As experts, phelbotomists are sure to collect the right amount of blood for storage (underfilled tubes alter the additive ratio; poor additive ratios lead to hemolysis). They also make recommendations for the best storage methods.
Tool selection
Regardless of the tools available, phelbotomists choose or request the best tools for the extraction and collection/storage process. This prevents your lab from processing a large collection of samples, only to realize that the entire procedure has been ruined by hemolysis.
Other procedures
Properly executing other seemingly minor procedures can be the difference between having a good sample and one destroyed by hemolysis. For example, a phelbotomist knows that you must allow alcohol to completely dry before attempting blood sample extraction, because the chemical might invade the sample and cause hemolysis.
Why Blood Sample Extraction and Collection/Storage Equipment Should be Chosen Carefully
Extraction equipment
If a needle is too large, it will force blood into the tube violently, causing the red blood cells to rupture; if a needle is too small, it will draw the blood through the syringe with excessive force, shearing the red blood cells. Both of these eventualities is likely to cause hemolysis. You should take the utmost care with your extraction equipment selection.
Collection/storage equipment
If at all possible, you should choose evacuated tube collection over syringe collection; syringe collection has proven to be over six times more likely to result in hemolysis than evacuated tube collection.
For storage of biological samples, you should use modern evacuated tubes, which make rim clots unnecessary. You should only mix the tube through gentle inversions. NEVER shake the sample. Storage temperatures should be regulated. Finally, always be cautious when transporting the specimen, as rough handling can lead to hemolysis-causing trauma; hand deliver blood samples whenever possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment