The effect of automated hemolysis index measurement on sample and test rejection rates
Abstract Objective Vast majority of laboratory errors occurs in preanalytical phase and in vitro hemolysis is the most common among preanalytical errors. Automated serum index measurement is being used in routine biochemical analysis in Antalya Public Health Care Laboratory, since June 2014. Our aim in this study is to reveal the impact of serum index usage on rejected samples and rejected test rates due to hemolysis. Materials and methods Hemolysis, icterus and lipemia (HIL) spectral interference reagent and program have been used in our laboratory since June 2014. In the current study, the number of samples and tests that were rejected due to hemolysis in June–August 2014 were compared with those rejected in the same period of 2013. Results In 2014, the sample rejection rate was 2.53% and the rejected test rate was 0.48%. In 2013, the sample rejection rate was 0.56% and the rejected test rate was 0.55%. When compared two periods, statistically significant increase in rejected sample number due to hemolysis in 2014 is result of, visually undetectable hemolyzed samples previously can be identified by HIL method (p<0.05). Conclusion Usage of hemolysis index program in automated systems for detecting hemolysis was evaluated as a method which is standardized, semi-quantitative, with high reproducibility and allows test based rejection.