75 % of all mistakes occur in the preanalytical phase, thus during blood collection or lab specimen transport. One single mistake costs 157€ on average, as a new sample has to be arranged and all steps need to be carried out again.
One of the main causes for defective samples is hemolysis. Red blood cells are destroyed and hemoglobin is released. The blood sample is now useless. 10 % of all blood samples are subject to haemolysis.
What are the causes of hemolysis?
Hemolysis can be caused by different diseases or mechanical processes that make the erythrocytes explode. The red blood pigment hemoglobin is released into the cell’s plasma. An orange-reddish color of the blood is a fairly reliable indication for hemolyzed blood.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia summarizes diseases that can cause hemolysis. The immune system does not work properly and produces antibodies to fight the body’s own erythrocytes, falsely identifying them as foreign bodies.
Mechanical processes
Mechanical processes, such as improper sample collection or transport can be causes of hemolysis in blood samples, where hemoglobin is released into the blood. The additional substance creates problems for analysis. Certain parameters can no longer be determined correctly:
- Lactate dehydrogenase
- Potassium
- Asparate aminotransferase
- Alanine aminotransferase
Diseases cannot be diagnosed reliably anymore. In the worst case, false results might lead to a wrong diagnosis and subsequently wrong treatment for the patient.
Hemolysis during blood sample transport
Hemolysis during blood transport is often caused by
- Temperature deviations,
- blunt impacts and
- improper centrifugation of the blood sample.
When it comes to automated transport via a pneumatic tube system, blunt impacts and shocks are especially dangerous.
According to tests, sudden changes, jerky movements and even the tiniest impact can considerably influence the quality of blood samples. They are mainly caused by:
- Damaged pipelines
- Direction changes
- Turbulent airflows
Likewise, interior processes of the sample tube are decisive: During transport with a standard pneumatic tube carrier, the tube moves in relation to the carrier and the blood in relation to the tube. This results in relative movements, damaging the sample.
How can you prevent hemolysis in blood samples?
Hemolysis is a danger for both manual and automated sample transport – there is no entirely safe method. Still, there are ways to prevent hemolysis in a blood sample.
Optimized solutions can prevent hemolysis for pneumatic tube system deliveries. Carriers with inlay fixate blood samples and reduce relative movements.
