ITC IRMA TruPoint Blood Analysis System - Manual (Page 33)

2.3
• Capillary samples must be free-flowing from an “arterialized” site. Avoid
excessive squeezing of the puncture site to prevent erroneous results that
could result from dilution of analytes or hemolysis.
ELECTROLYTE/GLUCOSE/LACTATE SAMPLE
HANDLING
• If a blood sample cannot be tested within 20 minutes of collection, keep
the collection device capped to minimize pH changes that could affect the
ionized calcium concentration.
• Do not ice samples that are to be analyzed for potassium; iced samples
may hemolyze.
• Analyze samples that are to be tested for glucose immediately; glucose
will decrease 5-10 mg/dL/hour as a result of glycolysis.
• Samples for lactate should be analyzed immediately on drawing as lactate
increases by as much as 70% within 30 minutes at 25° C as a result of
glycolysis.
1
PREPARING THE SAMPLE FOR INJECTION
• Remove any entrapped air from the syringe sample by pointing the syringe
at an upward angle to allow air bubbles to rise to the surface; expel the air,
along with a small amount of blood, onto an absorbent surface.
• Mix the sample thoroughly using the following technique:
> Roll the syringe between the palms of both hands with the syringe tip
pointing up.
> Invert the syringe (i.e., tip down) after 15-30 seconds. Continue to roll
the sample, alternating syringe orientation, until thoroughly mixed.
• Check the expelled sample for blood clots. A clot usually indicates
inadequate sample anticoagulation (e.g., the sample and heparin were not
well mixed). If a clot is injected near or over the cartridge sensors,
erroneous test results or sensor errors could occur. Do not use clotted
samples.
• When using the IRMA TruPoint Capillary Collection Device, analyze the
sample immediately, or place a luer cap on the tip of the device and
analyze within 5 minutes.