The Role of Preservatives in Clinical Chemistry Sample Collection

Summary

• Preservatives play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of samples collected for clinical chemistry tests in medical laboratories in the United States.
• Commonly used preservatives include anticoagulants, stabilizers, and additives that prevent sample degradation and ensure accurate Test Results.
• Understanding the various types of preservatives and their uses can help phlebotomists and laboratory technicians optimize sample collection and processing.

Introduction

Preserving Sample Integrity is essential in medical laboratories to ensure accurate Test Results and proper patient diagnosis and treatment. In clinical chemistry tests, various preservatives are used to prevent sample degradation and maintain stability during processing. Understanding the types of preservatives commonly used in sample collection for clinical chemistry tests is crucial for phlebotomists and laboratory technicians in the United States.

Common Types of Preservatives

1. Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants are substances that prevent blood from clotting and are commonly used in sample collection for hematology and coagulation tests. Some of the most commonly used anticoagulants in medical laboratories include:

1. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA): EDTA is a chelating agent that binds to calcium ions, preventing blood from clotting by inhibiting coagulation factors.
2. Heparin: Heparin is a natural Anticoagulant that works by inhibiting thrombin and preventing the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, thus preventing blood clot formation.
3. Sodium Citrate: Sodium Citrate works by chelating calcium ions and is commonly used as an Anticoagulant for coagulation tests such as Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT).

2. Stabilizers

Stabilizers are additives used to maintain Sample Integrity and prevent degradation during storage and processing. Some common stabilizers used in medical laboratories include:

1. Thrombin inhibitors: Thrombin inhibitors such as argatroban and lepirudin are used to prevent blood clot formation and maintain sample stability for coagulation tests.
2. Protease inhibitors: Protease inhibitors such as aprotinin and leupeptin are used to inhibit proteolytic enzymes and prevent sample degradation, particularly in enzyme activity assays.
3. Glycolysis inhibitors: Glycolysis inhibitors such as sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate are used to inhibit glycolytic enzymes and preserve glucose levels in samples for glucose testing.

3. Additives

Additives are substances added to samples to enhance test specificity and accuracy. Some common additives used in clinical chemistry tests include:

1. Lithium Heparin: Lithium Heparin is a specific type of Heparin that is used as an Anticoagulant and additive for lithium determinations in blood samples.
2. Gel separators: Gel separators are used to separate serum from blood cells by forming a barrier between the serum and cells, allowing for easier sample extraction and reducing the risk of hemolysis.
3. pH buffers: pH buffers such as citrate and acetate are used to maintain sample pH and prevent pH variation, ensuring accurate Test Results in assays that are pH-sensitive.

Importance of Preservatives in Sample Collection

Preservatives play a critical role in sample collection for clinical chemistry tests by maintaining Sample Integrity, preventing degradation, and ensuring accurate Test Results. Without proper preservatives, samples may clot, hemolyze, degrade, or become unstable, leading to inaccurate Test Results and potentially compromising patient diagnosis and treatment. Phlebotomists and laboratory technicians must understand the types of preservatives commonly used in sample collection and their specific uses to optimize sample processing and ensure reliable Test Results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, preservatives are essential in maintaining Sample Integrity and ensuring accurate Test Results in medical laboratories in the United States. By utilizing various types of preservatives such as anticoagulants, stabilizers, and additives, phlebotomists and laboratory technicians can enhance sample quality, prevent sample degradation, and optimize test performance. Understanding the role of preservatives in sample collection for clinical chemistry tests is crucial for providing reliable and accurate diagnostic information for patient care.

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