16/05/2022
Avoiding haemolysis of blood samples Haemolysis can be avoided by:
●Checking that the syringe and needle are dry and that the barrel and plunger of the syringe fit well.
● Not using a needle with too fine a bore.
● Not withdrawing the blood too rapidly or moving the needle once it is in the vein. Frothing of the blood must be avoided.
● Removing the needle from the syringe before dispensing the blood into the specimen container and allowing the blood to run gently down the inside wall of the container.
● Adding the correct amount of blood to anticoagulant. Do not shake the blood but gently mix it with the anticoagulant.
● Using clean dry glass tubes or bottles for blood from which serum is required. Allow sufficient time for the blood to clot and clot retraction to take place. Red cells are very easily haemolyzed by the rough use of an applicator stick to dislodge a clot.
● Centrifuging blood samples for a minimum period of time. Centrifuging for 5 minutes at about 1000 g is adequate to obtain serum or plasma.
● Not storing whole blood samples in, or next to, the freezing compartment of a refrigerator
