Journal article
Evidence-Based Validation of Hemolysis Index Thresholds by Use of Retrospective Clinical Data
The journal of applied laboratory medicine, Vol.3(1), pp.109-114
07/01/2018
DOI: 10.1373/jalm.2017.024992
PMID: 33626814
Abstract
Abstract Background Semiquantitative hemolysis indices (HIs) are used by chemistry analyzers to measure sample integrity, but there is little standardization in HI reporting or validation of analyte-specific HI flagging. Additional methods of HI threshold validation are needed. Methods We retrospectively queried serum and plasma potassium measurements, HIs, and contemporaneous whole blood potassium measurements. Serum and plasma values were compared to whole blood values drawn within 6 h (n = 6422 pairs), and discrepancies between values were compared across HIs. We also retrieved orders of potassium-lowering medications occurring shortly after release of potassium results from hemolyzed samples. Results While nonhemolyzed samples showed high agreement, a significant percentage of released hemolyzed samples (36.1% of the most hemolyzed group) were discrepant by 1 mEq/L or more. In total, 15.5% of patients with an order from the hyperkalemia order set had the order after a hemolyzed value; the majority of those patients (42 of 46; 91.3%) received a potassium-lowering medication, most of whom did not have a redraw before drug administration. Conclusions Retrospective review of discrepancies identified marked inconsistencies among higher HI samples and identified opportunities for improving the laboratory reporting policy, offering a clinical validation of the HI thresholds for potassium. Clinicians generally treated patients with hemolyzed samples, underscoring the importance of maintaining sample quality.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Evidence-Based Validation of Hemolysis Index Thresholds by Use of Retrospective Clinical Data
- Creators
- James A Mays - University of WashingtonDina N Greene - University of WashingtonAnna E Merrill - University of WashingtonPatrick C Mathias - University of Washington
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The journal of applied laboratory medicine, Vol.3(1), pp.109-114
- DOI
- 10.1373/jalm.2017.024992
- PMID
- 33626814
- NLM abbreviation
- J Appl Lab Med
- ISSN
- 2475-7241
- eISSN
- 2475-7241
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/01/2018
- Academic Unit
- Pathology; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984186426802771
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