Increased specimen minimum volume reduces turnaround time and hemolysis.

Quantity not sufficient (QNS) specimens with minimal blood volume for testing are common in clinical laboratories. However, there is no universal definition of minimum volume for a QNS specimen and little data is available addressing the impact of QNS / low volume specimens on turnaround time (TAT) and sample hemolysis. We compared the TAT and hemolysis index from samples ≤1.

Evaluation of Radioactivity in Patient Specimens Received in the Core Laboratory at a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Designated Cancer Center.

Background: Biological specimens from patients who have received radiopharmaceuticals are often collected for diagnostic testing and sent to clinical laboratories. Residual radiation has long been assumed to be minimal. However, literature is sparse and may not represent the specimen volumes or spectrum of radionuclides currently seen at National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers.

Evaluation of a semi-quantitative pregnancy device for susceptibility to interference caused by hCGβcf.

Objective: Previous work has documented the ability of the Clearblue Advanced Test with Weeks Estimator, a new over-the-counter (OTC) urine hCG device, to accurately estimate weeks since ovulation in early pregnancy. In this study, the performance of this device in more advanced pregnancy was assessed.

Methods: The Clearblue Advanced Test with Weeks Estimator device was used to test solutions containing purified intact hCG and hCGβcf at concentrations consistent with early, middle and late pregnancy.

Analytic evaluation of a new glucose meter system in 15 different critical care settings.

Background: Maintaining appropriate glycemic control in critically ill patients reduces morbidity and mortality. The use of point-of-care (POC) glucose devices is necessary to obtain rapid results at the patient's bedside. However, the devices should be thoroughly tested in the intended population before implementation.

False-negative results in point-of-care qualitative human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) devices due to excess hCGbeta core fragment.

Background: During pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) immunoreactivity in urine consists of intact hCG as well as a number of hCG variants including the core fragment of hCGbeta (hCGbeta cf). We identified 3 urine specimens with apparent false-negative results using the OSOM(R) hCG Combo Test (Genzyme Diagnostics) qualitative hCG device and sought to determine whether an excess of 1 of the fragments or variants might be the cause of the interference.

Methods: We measured concentrations of hCG variants in the urine from 3 patients with apparent false-negative hCG results.