Common Preservatives Used in Sample Collection for Accurate Test Results in Medical Labs
Summary
- Preservatives play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of samples collected for laboratory tests.
- Common preservatives used in sample collection in the United States include EDTA, sodium fluoride, and Heparin.
- Understanding the different types of preservatives and their specific uses can help ensure accurate Test Results in medical labs.
Introduction
Preserving the quality of samples collected for laboratory tests is essential in ensuring accurate and reliable results. Various preservatives are used during sample collection to prevent degradation and ensure that the specimen remains stable for analysis. In the United States, medical labs rely on specific preservatives to maintain the integrity of samples for various tests. This blog post explores some common preservatives used in sample collection for laboratory tests in the United States.
Common Preservatives Used in Sample Collection
1. EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid)
EDTA is a chelating agent commonly used as a preservative in blood collection tubes. It works by binding to calcium ions, which are essential for coagulation, preventing the blood from clotting. EDTA is particularly useful for tests that require whole blood or plasma samples, such as complete blood count (CBC), blood typing, and blood chemistry tests. The use of EDTA ensures that the samples remain liquid and suitable for analysis.
2. Sodium Fluoride
Sodium fluoride is another common preservative used in blood collection tubes, especially for tests that require glucose measurement, such as Fasting blood sugar tests. Sodium fluoride inhibits the enzyme enolase, which is involved in the breakdown of glucose, thereby preserving glucose levels in the sample. By combining sodium fluoride with other preservatives like potassium oxalate, labs can accurately measure glucose levels without the risk of glycolysis affecting the results.
3. Heparin
Heparin is an Anticoagulant commonly used in blood collection tubes to prevent blood from clotting. Unlike EDTA, which binds to calcium ions, Heparin works by inhibiting the enzyme thrombin, which is essential for the coagulation cascade. Heparin is often used for tests that require plasma samples, such as coagulation studies, cardiac Biomarkers, and some chemistry tests. The use of Heparin ensures that the samples remain liquid and suitable for analysis without interference from clot formation.
4. Clot Activators
Clot activators are substances that promote blood clotting, commonly used in serum separator tubes (SSTs). These tubes contain a gel that accelerates the clotting process, allowing for the separation of serum from cellular components. Clot activators are used for tests that require serum samples, such as biochemical tests, hormone assays, and serology tests. The gel barrier formed during centrifugation prevents the serum from coming into contact with cells, ensuring accurate and reliable Test Results.
5. Citrate
Citrate is a preservative commonly used in blood collection tubes for coagulation studies. It works by binding to calcium ions, thereby preventing the blood from clotting. Citrate is often used in tests to assess clotting factors, such as Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT). By using citrate as a preservative, labs can accurately measure clotting parameters without interference from the coagulation cascade.
6. Acid Citrate Dextrose (ACD)
ACD is an Anticoagulant solution used in blood collection tubes for certain specialized tests, such as the collection of blood for transfusion purposes. ACD works by chelating calcium ions and preventing blood clotting, allowing for the storage of whole blood for an extended period. ACD is particularly useful for tests that require live cell analysis, such as HLA typing, crossmatching, and other immunohematology tests.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the different types of preservatives used in sample collection for laboratory tests is crucial for ensuring accurate and reliable results. Common preservatives such as EDTA, sodium fluoride, Heparin, clot activators, citrate, and ACD play essential roles in maintaining the integrity of samples and preventing interference during analysis. Medical lab professionals must be knowledgeable about the specific uses of these preservatives to effectively handle and process samples for various tests. By employing the right preservatives and collection techniques, labs can ensure the quality and accuracy of Test Results, ultimately benefiting patient care and diagnosis.
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