Publisher's Synopsis
Here, an international team of authors summarizes the information related to biological influences, analytical interferences and on the variables affecting the collection, transport and storage as well as preparation of samples for analysis. They cover influences of age, gender, race, pregnancy, diet, exercise and altitude, plus the effects of stimulants and addictive drugs. They also consider the influence of the timing of sampling with regard to chrono–biological changes as well as the posture, site of sampling and the materials used. Specific chapters are devoted to:
∗ preanalytical variables in hematology,
∗ immunohaematology,
∗ coagulation,
∗ clinical chemistry,
∗ immunoassays,
∗ cellular analysis,
∗ molecular biology,
∗ blood gases and
∗ therapeutic drug monitoring.
Correspondingly, national and international standards are described for sampling procedures, transport, sample identification and all safety aspects. The text elucidates the effect of lipemia, haemolysis, antibodies and drugs, while quality assurance procedures are shown for achieving total laboratory management approaching the gold standard in preanalytical quality.
In addition, the authors provide a glossary of terms used by various bodies as well as a separate list of analytes containing the available data on reference intervals, biological half–life times, stability and influence and interference factors. Intended for everybody involved in patient care and using or performing laboratory tests, interested readers will benefit from the summarized literature and the list of analytes.
