Clinical Chem Lab
Clinical Chem Lab
Specimen collection
Specimen collection
common errors
• Avoid collecting from a drip arm • Drugs
– Aspirin at least 6h post dose
• Use appropriate specimen tube, avoid
– Digoxin at least 6h post dose
contamination
– Most other drugs should be pre-dose
• Avoid haemolysis – If not certain collect samples on admission and
• Send samples to the lab ASAP at the optimal times since admission
• Blood gases to be analysed immediately – Paracetamol at least 4 h post ingestion
– Timing should be clearly indicated, aids
• Specific transport requirements interpretation
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Specimen collection
Test over-requesting
common errors
• Troponin requesting- • Ideally only one Troponin measurement
• sample should be taken at least 10 h since onset • Follow up TFTs every 4 – 6 weeks
of chest pain or symptoms. If not sure, sample
should be taken on admission and at 10 h • HbA1c at most 2 per year
afterwards • Tumour markers not a diagnostic test
• Optimal sampling time for cortisol deficiency is • Iron studies not interpretable in the acutely
9.0 am otherwise state ill. FBC more appropriate
• Samples for lipids and glucose ideally fasting,
otherwise state • FSH only is required for the diagnosis of
the menopause