Choice of Sample Container

For most blood analyses, the commercially available plastic vials and transport containers are suitable for transportation, with addition of appropriate additives as required. The following sample materials require special containers  

For the accurate determination of these analytes, the samples must be transported in special glass vials with addition of suitable anticoagulants, as these substances can be adsorbed by plastic materials (cap or stopper coated with Teflon ). Such sample tubes can be supplied by the laboratories on demand. 

Exogenic contamination of the sample by the steel cannula, serum separating agent or other additives or the material of the sample tube is possible. 

Contamination with metals, metal ions and other substances is also observed with containers of this type if they are not supplied by the manufacturer with the closures already fitted to the sample tubes (i.e. if the tubes and closures are packed separately). Under some circumstances, contamination of the substance to be analyzed by dust, aerosols and vapors can occur on long storage. 

The danger of contamination effects in determinations of aluminum in blood deserves special mention. Some manufacturers of blood sampling apparatus today supply special sample vials for the determination of metals in blood. Tests show that these lead to very little contamination of the sample by the vials. (These too can be obtained from the laboratories on special request.) 

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The choice of sample container material may be an important factor for maintaining sample stabiHty and... 

To approach such problem solving, the first and most important step is the sampling and storage of the specimen. Care must be taken in the choice of sampling container and the tools used to extract the sample. The same attention to specimen handling is required while the sample is in the possession of the analyst. Before the analysis begins, it is important to discuss with the appropriate people the specific details of what is needed and expected from the analysis. Such discussions can save a tremendous amount of time and eliminate any miscommunications. 

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