Analysis of thicknesses of blood collection needle by scanning electron microscopy reveals wide heterogeneity.

Objectives: The preanalytical phase in clinical laboratory diagnostics is currently receiving more and more attention. This term describes one part of actions and aspects of the "brain-to-brain cycle" of the medical laboratory diagnostic procedure that take place before the analytical phase. However, the preanalytical activities, the handling of unsuitable samples and the reporting procedures are neither fully standardized nor harmonized worldwide.