Preanalytical Variables

Presentation

Video length: 60 minutes

Overview

This presentation reviews the most common preanalytical variables that lead to blood specimen re-collection in the hospital environment. It also shares strategies to reduce specimen re-collection, based upon published data and Mayo Clinic experience.

Presenter

Image of Brad S. Karon, M.D., Ph.D

Brad Karon, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • List the preanalytical variables most commonly associated with unacceptable blood specimens in the hospital environment.
  • Define strategies to reduce the number/rate of unacceptable blood specimens.
  • Estimate the amount of error caused by specimen contamination with various intravenous solutions.

Intended Audience

This series is appropriate for phlebotomists, phlebotomy managers, phlebotomy educators, and other patient-care staff involved in specimen collection.

Faculty Disclosure

Course director(s), planning committee, faculty, and all others who are in a position to control the content of this educational activity are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest related to the subject matter of the educational activity. Safeguards against commercial bias have been put in place. Faculty members also will disclose any off-label and/or investigational use of pharmaceuticals or instruments discussed in their presentations. Disclosure of this information will be published in course materials so those participants in the activity may formulate their own judgments regarding the presentations.

Questions?

Contact us: mcleducation@mayo.edu

Additional Resources

Phlebotomy Modules
PACE / State of CA / State of FL
Phlebotomy Modules

MCL Education

This post was developed by our Education and Technical Publications Team.