International Journal of Medical and Health Research

Authors
Mirza Asif Baig

Abstract
Background: The most common pre-analytical error in hematology laboratory is inadequate & clotted blood samples. This is particularly significant in pediatric hospitals, as it is difficult to draw the venous blood from dehydrated children. Inadequate blood samples & insufficient anticoagulants according to the manufacturers data and current Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, results in erroneous haematology results. Methodology: CBC results of the diluted blood samples (normal saline) & undiluted blood samples were compared. All the CBC parameters were same before & after dilution. Conclusion- Inadequate blood samples give erroneous results. If normal saline can be added in equal parts to EDTA blood in vacutainer the CBC results are almost the same. So it can be safely concluded that instead of discarding the inadequate blood samples it can utilized by adding equal parts of normal saline which will not alter the result outcome.