Diagnostic Samples: From the Patient to the Laboratory: The Impact of Preanalytical Variables on the Quality of Laboratory Results (Hardcover, 4, 2009, Updated)

Dream and reality -
An introductory case -
The importance of the preanalytical phase
BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
Something unavoidable -
Influences of age, gender, race and pregnancy
Changing habits -
Influences that can vary (diet, starvation, exercise, altitude)
May I take coffee, smoke or drink before blood sampling? -
Stimulants and addictive drugs as biological influence factors
What if I take herbs? -
Effects of herbs on laboratory results
COLLECTION OF SPECIMEN
When to test? -
Timing of sampling
Sampling during infusion therapy? -
Sequence of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
Sampling in the supine or upright position? -
Effects of posture and tourniquet
What site for sampling blood? -
Phlebotomy, arterial puncture and sampling from catheters
Blood from the skin -
Capillary sampling
Did the lab mix up my sample? -
Techniques of sample identification
A precious sample -
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
A sample that is nearly always available -
Urine and saliva as diagnostic probes
Plasma or serum? -
Differences to be considered
Take a lavender tube! -
Additives and colour codes
TRANSPORT AND STORAGE
Fax me a sample -
Effects of time and temperature during transport
Samples in transit -
Legal standardization for mailing samples
How to keep a sample "fresh" -
Storage of samples in the laboratory
PREPARATION OF SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS
What has to be done on specimen arrival? -
Specimen processing, centrifugation, distribution
Continuous or batchwise? -
Preanalytical workflow and robotics
Safety aspects during the preanalytical phase -
Disposal of specimens, needles, tubes and chemicals
SPECIAL ASPECTS WITH EACH ANALYTE
What is needed before blood transfusion? -
Special aspects in immuno-haematology
Why a separate tube for the coagulation test? -
Special aspects in haemostaseology
Blood cells are sensitive! -
Special aspects in haematological analysis
Everything from a drop of blood? -
Special aspects in clinical chemistry
Special tubes for hormones and proteomics? -
Preanalytical factors in immunoassays
Blood cells can provide important information -
Special aspects in cellular analysis
How to handle genes -
Special aspects in molecular biology
When gases evaporate -
Special aspects for blood gases and ionized calcium
The right time for drugs? -
Special aspects in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)
Bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses -
Special aspects in microbiology
ENDOGENOUS AND EXOGENOUS INTERFERENCES
Can turbid samples be used? -
Effects of lipaemia
A difficult case -
Pitfalls with endogenous antibodies
The serum sample looks reddish -
Effects of haemolysis
Does the laboratory have to know all my drugs? -
Mechanisms and treatment of drug interference
Everything under control? -
Quality assurance in the preanalytical phase
References
Glossary
Index