8 SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND HANDLING
Cholestech LDX System Procedure Manual
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2.1 Introduction
Since the collection of the patient’s specimen is the beginning of the analytical process, the
use of proper collection techniques is essential to obtaining accurate results. It is imperative
that laboratories follow appropriate biohazard and safety procedures.
Many laboratory errors can be traced to such nonanalytical factors as misidentifying or
mishandling specimens. Nonanalytical error can be prevented by using careful collection
and processing procedures.
Several factors can influence a result so that it does not reflect the patient’s usual cholesterol
level. Many of these variations are due to things that occur before or during blood collection,
or during the time the blood is stored or shipped to the laboratory. It is important to
understand and control these factors as much as possible to get accurate results.
Factors that contribute to the patient’s usual cholesterol level include:
• Age and gender
• Within-day variation
• Seasonal variation
• Diet and alcohol
• Exercise
• Drugs
• Fasting
• Posture
• Venous occlusion
• Recent heart attack or stroke
• Trauma and acute infection
• Pregnancy
For more information on patient variables, please contact Cholestech Technical Service
at 800-733-0404.
2.2 Fingerstick Procedure
Precautions
When handling patient samples, appropriate biohazard precautions should be taken.
A warm hand and good blood flow from the puncture site are essential to draw a good
capillary sample.
1. The patient should sit quietly for five minutes before the blood sample is collected.
2. Put a capillary plunger into a Cholestech capillary tube at the end with the red mark.
Set it aside.
Specimen Collection and Handling
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