Pre-Analytics
1. Request Form
Please enter all data on the Request Form in a readable form. Age or Date of Birth
are important due to different reference ranges. Please enter your name or clinic!!!!!
in the right upper area. Please stick the ID number below to the sample tube. The
correct identification of the patient sample is only guaranteed by this number.
2. Conditions
Laboratory investigations can be highly efficient and can contribute to 70% in finding
the right diagnosis. Pre-analytical factors such as storage, transport, splitting
of samples etc. may significantly influence the results. Please refer to the conditions
described in this list.
3. Vacutainers/Clotted Samples/ Splitted Samples/ Sample/ Volume
All our customers receive vacutainers/ Sarstedt tubes from FML F.O.C. We provide
German Sarstedt systems from now on as well. This system is better to handle than
the vacutainers, provokes less hemolysis and less hematoma and bleeding after collection.
To obtain serum, whole blood samples should be left for 20 – 30 minutes prior to
centrifugation in order to allow a complete clotting in the sample. If the final
clotting process is not achieved, further clotting occurs in the separated sample.
If this is not recognized by our technicians (small clots can easily being overseen),
wrong values may result as a consequence.
Clotted blood in EDTA tubes and Citrate tubes:
Immediately after blood collection the tubes which contain EDTA or Citrate must
be mixed well several times (shake gently).
Splitted samples:
In addition, splitting of samples is known to lead to patient sample confusions
already in the clinics. If ever possible, we would kindly ask for sending us the
original tubes.
Leaking vials:
Leaking vials are dangerous for your personnel and our personnel including non-medical
staff, like drivers and receptionists. Please use closed systems as provided from
us.
Sample volume:
It is important to fill up the vacutainers containing citrate for ESR or coagulation
parameters to the mark on the tube (due to standardized dilution!).
Haemolysis:
Blood collection by using vacutainers after strong and long venous congestion may
cause hemolysis (interference with a significant number of tests).
Coagulation parameters:
Coagulation parameters are sensitive to storage > 4 hours. As a consequence, we
will measure an increased clotting time or decreased activities.
CBC’s:
A manual or machine blood differential is difficult to interpret when the blood
sample was kept > 4hours. The blood cells are more vulnerable and show significant
different morphology (typical flag shown in 2 dimensional laser/impedance measurements).
Stapling of bags:
Please avoid the stapling of bags. Kindly use the adhesive flap to seal the pouches.
Microbiology/ sensitive germs: (Gonococci, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Meningococci,
and Anaerobic Germs).
Long storage of samples leads to damage of sensitive germs such as gram negative
diplococci, Chlamydia and others. Please avoid long storage. We recommend calling
us in such cases in order to provide the adequate collection material (special swabs
etc.).
Chlamydia PCR:
Please send concentrated first morning urine or use dry swabs (due to inhibiting
substances for PCR reactions in normal collection material). Let it dry for 3 hours
(contamination free area) and send it to the Laboartory in a sterile container without
additives.
PCR HCV/HBV and others:
Please do not open the vacutainers (or split samples) designated for PCR analyses.
The sensitivity of virus detection analyses reaches up to 100 DNA/RNA copies/ml.
The probability of contaminating the samples in non-separated laboratory units is
very high.
|
Abbreviation |
Method |
Error |
|
AAS |
Atomic absorption, flame |
3% |
|
|
Coombs test |
1 titer stage |
|
Elisa, EIA, FIA, LIA, RIA, ECLIA, CLIA |
Enzyme Immuno-Assay |
15% |
|
|
FTA abs test |
1 titer stage |
|
GC |
Gas chromatography |
3% |
|
|
Graphite atomizer |
5% |
|
HAH |
Hemagglutination inhibition test |
1 titer stage |
|
|
Headspace-GC |
3% |
|
HIG test |
Hemolysis in the gel test |
1 titer stage |
|
ISE |
Ion selective electrode measuring |
8% |
|
IFT, IFL |
Immune fluorescence test |
1 titer stage |
|
IHA |
Immuno hemagglutination |
1 titer stage |
|
KBR |
Complement binding reaction |
1 titer stage |
|
LC MS |
Liquid Cromatography Mass Spectrometry |
5% |
|
MS MS |
Tandem Mass Spectrometry |
5% |
|
|
Neutralization test |
1 titer stage |
|
PCR quantitative |
Polymerase-Chain Reaction |
50% |
|
|
|
|
Specimen Requirements Tubes and Containers
|
Tubes for sample collection |
Colour |
Capacity |
Instructions |
|
Serum Tubes |
red cap |
5 + 8 ml |
Contains gel, which provides an effective barrier between the blood clot and serum.
Used for most biochemical, hormonal and immunological
analyses.
|
|
EDTA Tubes (K3) |
violet cap |
2 + 5 ml |
Contains EDTA (Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid). Used mostly for haematology
and genetic tests. Mix well after collection (do not shake) to avoid
Thrombocyte clots.
|
|
Coagulation Tubes |
blue cap |
2 + 4 ml |
Contains Citrate as anticoagulant, mostly for coagulation tests.
Filling correctly is compulsory.
|
|
Heparin Tube
|
green |
4 ml |
Contains Heparin (for chromosome analyses)
|
|
ESR Tubes |
black |
2 ml |
Contains Citrate as anticoagulant, for erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
|
|
Urine Tubes |
yellow cap |
10 ml |
For hygienic urine collection, transport and analysis.
|
|
Urine Container |
|
30 ml |
Used for collection of urine and others (e.g. semen,..)
|
|
Urine Container (24 hour urine) |
|
2000 ml |
Used for collection of 24 h urine.
|
|
Stool Container |
|
|
It allows a simple separation of a given faeces sample of approx.
1 g
|
|
Swab Container |
|
|
Contains swab with media |
|
Blood culture flasks (aerobics and anaerobics) |
|
70 ml |
|
|
Container for smears |
blue
|
2 slides |
Call FML for order |
|
Liquid based cytology (Thinprep) |
|
|
Call FML for order. Please note that ThinPrep containers are expensive. Please send
it exclusively to the Laboratory providing the kits!
|