What is hemolysis, what causes it, and what is the protocol when a hemolyzed specimen is observed?

What is hemolysis, what causes it, and what is the protocol when a hemolyzed specimen is observed?

• A. Hemolysis is rupture of red cells causing pink/red plasma; caused by difficult venipuncture, small needle, vigorous mixing, or excessive tourniquet/fist pumping; document and recollect if results are compromised
• B. Hemolysis is clotting of plasma; caused by delayed centrifugation; proceed with results
• C. Hemolysis is bacterial contamination; caused by non-sterile technique; discard specimen
• D. Hemolysis is an increased white cell count; caused by infection; notify physician

Answer: (A)

Hemolysis happens when red blood cells rupture and release hemoglobin into the plasma, which makes the plasma appear pink to red and can distort many lab results. The usual culprits are collection- and handling-related factors: difficult venipuncture with a small-gauge needle, vigorous mixing, or keeping the tourniquet on too long or pumping the fist. Using the right technique—appropriate needle size, gentle technique, minimal tourniquet time, and proper, gentle inversion of the tube to mix without turbulence—helps prevent it. When you observe a hemolyzed specimen, you should document the specimen as hemolyzed and recollect a new sample if the results could be compromised. This ensures the results you report are accurate. The other statements describe different phenomena (clotting, contamination, leukocytosis) and do not define hemolysis or its proper handling.

Hemolysis happens when red blood cells rupture and release hemoglobin into the plasma, which makes the plasma appear pink to red and can distort many lab results. The usual culprits are collection- and handling-related factors: difficult venipuncture with a small-gauge needle, vigorous mixing, or keeping the tourniquet on too long or pumping the fist. Using the right technique—appropriate needle size, gentle technique, minimal tourniquet time, and proper, gentle inversion of the tube to mix without turbulence—helps prevent it.

When you observe a hemolyzed specimen, you should document the specimen as hemolyzed and recollect a new sample if the results could be compromised. This ensures the results you report are accurate. The other statements describe different phenomena (clotting, contamination, leukocytosis) and do not define hemolysis or its proper handling.