Session Information
Session Type: Abstract Submissions (ACR)
Background/Purpose: Optimal conditions for detecting serum cryoglobulins in patients with suspected vasculitis requires drawn blood samples remain at 37 degree F or higher temperature until the sample has clotted and the serum is removed. Failure to maintain these temperature conditions during sample transport to the processing laboratory may lead to failure to detect cryoglobulins and false negative test results. We determined the utility of a custom-designed sample transporter for optimizing the quality of blood samples submitted for cryoglobulin detection.
Methods: A quality study was undertaken in a hospital-based clinical immunology laboratory to assess the frequency of samples sent to the lab for cryoglobulin analysis that were deemed acceptable for optimal cryoglobulin analysis (sample temperature at or greater than 37 degrees C). Following the study, a specially designed blood tube carrier (Cryocab) containing a 300 gram 1:1 mixture of n-docosane and n-eicosane was developed for use in the hospital/clinic pneumatic tube transport systems. The mixture in the carrier melts at 38 degrees C, with a high heat of fusion when solidifying and maintaining a temperature of 38°C for several hours as the material undergoes phase transition. Following implementation of Cryocab use, a subsequent study to determine the frequency of acceptable samples arriving to the clinical immunology lab was undertaken.
Results: During a ten month time period prior to routine use of the Cryocab, only 146/226 (34%) of samples arriving in the clinical immunology lab for cryoglobulin assessment had a temperature at or exceeding 37 degrees C. During a four month time frame following implementation of routine Cryocab use by the hospital and clinic phelebotomy services, the percentage of samples arriving to the clinical immunology lab at 37 degrees or higher improved dramatically—87/90 (97%).
Conclusion: Use of a gel-based transporter to maintain blood samples at temperatures conducive to optimal detection of cryoglobulins can dramatically improve the quality of samples arriving to the analyzing lab, and may improve cryoglobulin detection rates.
Disclosure:
W. W. Chatham,
None;
M. Nahm,
None;
W. H. Benjamin Jr.,
None.
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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/improvement-in-cryoglobulin-detection-employing-a-temperature-controlled-sample-transporter/