Preanalytical variables and factors that interfere with the biochemical parameters: A review

Abstract

Introduction The total testing process, which begins with the order of the physician, in-cludes the preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical phases and ends with the results ready for interpretation. To obtain a reliable test result requires detection of all steps however, to con-trol the preanalytical stage is such a complex way that much of the steps are human dependent and out of the laboratory's control thus occupies the most erroneous part of the total test-ing. The worst side is that the error in that stage often becomes apparent in the analytical or postanalytical phase. The aim is to highlight the multi-factorial human dependent errone-ous stage that affects the biochemi-cal routine test results, which can be easily prevented with awareness and laboratory staff education. We will concentrate on the preanalytical errors which include specimen type selection, blood collection, blood col-lection equipments and the factors in-terfering with biochemical tests. Conclusion The quality of the analytical phase increased due to the interest, tight control and following the quality procedures both internal and exter-nal established by the medical labo-ratories and manufacturers.