Evaluation of management strategy results of laboratory studies in serum samples with hemolysis

Abstract

There is an ongoing debate about what the laboratory should do with hemolyzed samples. Several strategies are proposed for managing the results obtained in such samples. The safest option from the analytical and clinical points of view is to perform a study of a new sample without hemolysis. Another approach is to carry out a test irregardless, but at the same time indicate a limit on the clinical interpretation of the result, by making a comment on possible hemoglobin interference. The choice of strategy should be based on a comparison of the risk of negative consequences in the absence of a test result and the likelihood of harm due to the transfer of the result with high uncertainty to the clinician.