Improved turnaround time for neonatal hematology profile tests (complete blood count) using a new microcollection tube.

摘要

The complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most important hematologic profile tests which provides information about the numbers and types of blood cells in patients. The quality of CBC test results may be affected by various sources of preanalytical artifacts. These include the amount of blood collected and sample handling conditions. The blood collection process for neonates is quite different from that for adults. Blood in neonates is usually sampled from a venous or arterial catheter or by capillary stick from a finger or heel and collected into a blood collection container without a vacuum. Capillary blood specimens collected from neonates are particularly vulnerable to preanalytical artifact because of the small volume of blood collected, an increased potential for microaggregation of platelets and hemodilution with tissue fluid (1, 2). To help overcome these problems, special blood collection tubes for neonates have been developed and are currently used in numerous clinical laboratories. For example, Microtainer~R tubes with K2 ethyl-enediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) have been widely used as blood collection tubes for CBC in neonates. However, there are some drawbacks associated with the use of Microtainer~R tubes.