Effect of sample storage and time delay (delayed processing) on analysis of common clinical biochemical parameters

The objective of the study was to studying the effect of delay in time on biochemical estimations, the effect of ambient temperature on assays and the effect of hemolysis on certain commonly requisitioned parameters in serum-includes glucose, urea, creatinine and electrolytes and enzyme Alkaline phosphatase.

Study includes 53 randomly selected non-fasting venous blood samples as advice by their clinicians for routine biochemical assays were taken for three formats of which includes biochemical estimations done after 4hr delay at room temperature, 12 hrs delay at 2-8deg C, of the study on hemolysed sample at room temperature.

Statistical analysis were done using Spss 13.0 version, the results were expressed in mean showed significant alteration of serum glucose and Alkaline phosphatase after 4hours at room temperature (p=0.00; 0.017), serum glucose and, creatinine and ALP after 12 hours delay at 2-8deg C. (p=0.00; 0.00; 0.043) respectively.

This study may be useful to help define acceptable delay times and storage conditions when a short time between sample collection and processing is not possible.