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  • Title: EDTA contamination in laboratory specimens-effect of an awareness campaign.
    Author: Ijaz A, Maqsood-ul-Hassan, Khan IM, Saeed F, Tariq KM.
    Journal: J Coll Physicians Surg Pak; 2010 Jun; 20(6):405-7. PubMed ID: 20642972.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To measure the effects of awareness campaign on the frequency of EDTA contamination. STUDY DESIGN: A cohort study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was carried out in Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, from October to December 2008. METHODOLOGY: A cohort of 200 doctors, nurses and paramedical staff involved in sample collection for laboratory investigations were selected for this three phased study. In all samples with plasma potassium level > 6.0 mmol/L, plasma Ca++ was measured for one month before, during and after a campaign of correct filling order of sample tubes for two weeks. Renal function test and LDH were also measured to rule out chronic renal failure and in-vitro haemolysis, respectively. Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of frequency of hyperhalemia. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease (75%, p < 0.01) in the cases of spurious hyperkalaemia and hypocalcaemia. CONCLUSION: EDTA contamination is a common and important source of pre-analytical error which can be prevented to some extent by education of medical and nursing staff.
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