JPAC Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee

12.3: Samples

Samples may be ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) or clotted.

Where equipment/reagent manufacturers have defined protocols for storage and preparation, then these must be followed.

In the absence of protocols or recommendations from manufacturers, then validated protocols for sample storage and preparation must be defined.

Visual inspection to determine the suitability for testing must consider the following in relation to the equipment methods and samples used:

  • haemolysis
  • lipaemia
  • clots
  • volume
  • cell:plasma (serum) ratio
  • the buffy coat layer (note: a large buffy coat layer in the sample may give rise to erroneous results).

Labels should be examined for defective labelling.

Reconciliation of all samples to be tested should be completed prior to testing.

Last updated 04/09/2023