RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Assessing Pediatric Trauma Specimen Integrity
JF American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
JO Clin Lab Sci
FD American Society of Chemistry and Laboratory Science
SP 219
OP 222
DO 10.29074/ascls.23.4.219
VO 23
IS 4
A1 Bush, Ruth A.
A1 Mueller, Teresa
A1 Sumwalt, Beverly
A1 Cox, Susan A.
A1 Hilfiker, Mary L.
YR 2010
UL http://hwmaint.clsjournal.ascls.org/content/23/4/219.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the quality of trauma specimens by comparing line draws to venipuncture.DESIGN: The draw type (line or venipuncture); container type (Vacutainer or Microtainer); and suitability for processing (processed/hemolyzed/clotted) of routinely collected trauma specimens was analyzed.SETTING: The clinical laboratory of a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Hemolyzed trauma specimens were analyzed according to method of collection, collector, and type of container to identify issues resulting in unusable samples.RESULTS: The data shows that for 13% of all draws, portions of the results were affected by hemolysis. Sixteen percent of line draws and 6% of venipunctures were hemolyzed (p = 0.04). There was no statistical association with who collected the sample (p = 0.07) or type of container (p = 1.00).CONCLUSION: Based on this sample of data, the laboratory recommends that, whenever possible, venipunctures be performed for laboratory testing of blood specimens to improve trauma specimen integrity.ABBREVIATIONS: ED = Emergency Department; EMS = Emergency Medical Services; ID = identification; MLA = medical laboratory assistant; RBC = red blood cells; RN = registered nurse.