International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) recommendations for processing of blood samples for coagulation testing

Abstract

Preanalytical variables affect the results of many laboratory tests including those related to haemostasis and thrombosis. 1,2 The preanalytical phase is often the main source of inaccurate laboratory test results, 3 with between one third and three quarters of laboratory errors being attributable to this phase. 4 Many preanalytical errors are a consequence of inappropriate or problematic blood sample processing, and there are significant cost implications of preanalytical errors as indicted by a study which estimated the average cost of a preanalytical error to be around $200 (in 2013) in both European and North American institutions, representing an annual cost of $1.2 million for a 650 bed hospital in the USA. 5 Preanalytical problems can be surprisingly common occurring in around 5% of samples in one study. 6 The analysis of unsuitable or inappropriate samples and the release of results unsafe for informing

FVIII inhibitor surveillance in children with hemophilia A in Indonesia: a report from the Indonesian Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Working Group

“…From a technical perspective, shipping samples to a central laboratory is also challenging. Samples that cannot be transported as whole blood to the referred laboratory should be processed by centrifugation, ideally within 4 h of collection [ 13 , 14 ]. If samples are stored for more than 4 h after collection, they should be maintained in an appropriate freezer (-20°C) and tests performed within 2 weeks or less [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Triple apheresis platelet concentrate quality after pneumatic tube system, conveyor box, and courier transport: An observational study

“…Current recommendations of the International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) cover platelet function tests prior to the use of PTS for blood samples to analyze the impact of vibration and movement on platelets. 29 …”

“…Current recommendations of the International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) cover platelet function tests prior to the use of PTS for blood samples to analyze the impact of vibration and movement on platelets. 29 In addition, the shock load also plays a decisive role and must be considered when evaluating the influence of transport on platelet quality. Thus, all transport containers used in our study were equipped with acceleration data loggers, because, for example, the higher the acceleration, the higher the influence on the ROTEM parameters.…”

Laboratory evaluation of a new integrative assay to phenotype plasma fibrinolytic system

“…Citrated platelet-depleted plasma (c-PDP) was prepared according to the recommendations of the International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) [ 24 ] and as per daily practice. Citrated blood samples were centrifuged at 1,500 g for 15 min (Mega Star 3.0R, VWR International, Leuven, Belgium – breaking ramp 9) either at 4 or 20 according to the performed assay and protocol (see below) within 2 h of blood collection.…”