Page 167 - Registrar Orientation Manual 2016

Common specimen problems:
 Leaking urine pots and CSF tubes.
Please ensure lids are correctly threaded and securely closed.
 Clotted blood specimens.
o To avoid this invert blood tubes immediately after collection – refer to the
Order of Draw chart for instructions.
o If collecting blood specimens with a syringe, transfer blood to vacutainers
immediately to avoid clotting.
o If collecting capillary blood samples for a CBC mix the blood and
anticoagulant by flicking the tube frequently while collecting.
 Haemolysed blood specimens
Approximately 10-15% of blood samples received in our laboratory demonstrates some degree of haemolysis leading to poor quality results.
The presence of haemolysis interferes with many tests. e.g. for Biochemistry
o Slight haemolysis affects Potassium, LD, ALT, AST, CK, Salicylate and Iron. o Moderate haemolysis affects Potassium, LD, ALT, AST, CK, Salicylate, Iron,
GGT, UIBC
o Grossly haemolysed specimens cannot be tested.