Establishing reference values from adults: Recommendation on procedures for the preparation of individuals, collection of blood, and handling and storage of specimens

Abstract

The concentrations of blood components are influenced by a number of pre-analytical factors, the importance of which varies [1]. Therefore it is necessary to standardize the specimen collection, as was done by the Committee on Reference Values of the Scandinavian Society for Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Physiology, which in 1975 published its recommendation on the production of reference values in clinical chemistry [2]. It was the very first recommendation of its kind. Since then, new information has accumulated, and it has become necessary to revise the part concerning the preparation of subjects for blood collection, the collection procedure itself, and the subsequent handling of the specimen. Also, The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (Expert Panel on Theory of Reference Values) has produced its own recommendation [3]. The recommendation described below replaces pp. 39-44 of the former Scandinavian recommendation [2].

The procedure described below is designed for the collection of specimens for the measurement of the majority of components in blood and specimen collection from the cubital vein is described. It can be easily adapted for the collection of blood from other vessels [4].

Certain laboratory investigations require a special protocol. In that case, the preparation of the subject prior to and during specimen collection as well as the procedure itself should be described in sufficient detail to permit reproduction by adequately trained personnel.

In any project designed to produce reference values the same protocol for the preparation of individuals and specimen collection should be used throughout the project. The protocol should be described in detail. Thus, it is not satisfactory to state only that the present recommendation was followed.

Each section of the recommendation is followed by a check list for points which should be taken into account.