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Int J Angiol 2009; 18(4): 182-183
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1278350
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A retrospective analysis of the incidence of hemolysis in type and screen specimens from trauma patients

Kavin G . Shah1 , Juan P. Idrovo1 , Jeffrey Nicastro1 , Heather F. McMullen2 , Ernesto P. Molmenti1 , Gene Coppa1
  • 1Department of Surgery, North Shore — Long Island Jewish Health System, Manhasset, New York, New York, USA
  • 2Department of Surgery, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York, New York, USA
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Publication History

Publication Date:
28 April 2011 (online)

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hemolysis of blood samples has been a concern in hospitals. Currently, residents and nurses have replaced traditional teams of skilled phlebotomists for both routine and ‘stat’ blood draws. Although this leads to a decreased operating cost for institutions, the lack of skill and experience leads to a higher percentage of hemolyzed specimens.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of hemolyzed ‘type and screen’ blood samples at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) (New York, USA).

METHODS: The study group comprised 615 consecutive trauma patients at SIUH between July 2006 and June 2007. Patients were treated according to the Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol. The primary survey for a trauma patient consists of ‘airway’, ‘breathing’ and ‘circulation’. The primary objective of ‘circulation’ is to establish vascular access and collect blood samples for analysis. The SIUH in-house laboratory provided all of the reports.

RESULTS: Of the 615 samples collected, 155 samples (25.2%) were hemolyzed.

CONCLUSIONS: The hemolysis rate of 25.2% for type and screen samples is higher than previously reported in the literature. The data suggest that the high rate of hemolysis in these trauma patients is due to the residents' lack of experience and skills required to obtain an adequate blood draw.